50 Facts About the Mountain Lion

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Mountain lions are the more common wild cats found in the United States, so there is so much to learn! Come explore these cool mountain lion facts for kids with us. These facts about the mountain lion include facts about their habitat, the mountain lion diet, gnarly bite strength and even what to do if you come across in mountain lion in real life!

Facts About The Mountain Lion

The mountain lion is one of the largest distributions of wild animals in the Americas! You can find them all over North, Central and South America.

The mountain lion’s habitat spans from the Northernmost areas of Canada to the Southern tips of the Andes mountains. You can find Colorado mountain lions and California mountain lions, too.

This distribution of mountain lions is due to its high versatility and adaptability towards any habitat type! They can survive and thrive in many types of climates and terrain!

Mountain lions can be found from forests to deserts.

These cats show a preference towards canyon areas, mountainous regions, and dense bushes. Mountain lions can survive in areas with very little vegetation as well.

Mountain Lions Habitat

Like most species of the cat family, the mountain lion is mostly solitary. They live and hunt alone, only meeting to mate.

Mothers will live with the mountain lion cubs until they grow up while other adults will be met with on rare occasions.

Mountain lions can and will share their kills with other adult mountain lions.

Mountain lions can be territorial animals and will protect their habitat. Male mountain lions will often compete with each other for territory.

Interesting Facts About the Mountain Lion

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Facts About Mountain Lions for Kids

A mountain lion has a round head with erect ears, powerful jaws, and retractable claws.

They are the fourth largest wild cat species in the world.

Standing up to 90 cm tall and having a length of around 8 ft.

Males tend to weigh around 180 lbs.

Females weigh around 110 pounds.

Despite their size, they are incredibly agile and slender creatures.

They have a general tawny coat.

The infants are normally spotted with rings on the tail.

Mountain Lion Fun Facts – Baby Cubs!

Female mountain lions breed at two years old, after they establish their territory.

Mountain lion gestation is 92 days and they give birth every two years to mountain lion cubs. So cute!

Most litters consist of 2-4 kittens that are born in warmer months. Litter mates will travel together for several months.

Mountain lion babies are called kittens or cubs. They usually have spots for 1 year.

Like all mammals, a newborn cub’s diet consists of its mother’s milk for the first seven weeks.

As the mountain lion cub matures to 7-9 weeks of age, the mother begins taking the cubs to eat the meat of her kill.

Mountain lion kittens are fully weaned – which means they eat only meat and not mother’s milk – at approximately 4 to 6 months of age.

Cat cubs are born with their eyes closed. When the eyes open between 5 and 19 days after birth.

The eyes of mountain lion cubs appear blue due to lack of pigmentation, similar to human babies!

At approximately 5 months of age, the cub’s eyes turn brown and remain brown throughout the cougar’s life.

Mountain Lion Diet

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Mountain Lion Facts – Hunting

A mountain lion diet is varied. It is a predator and a carnivore so it can eat any animal it catches, whether it is an insect or a large ungulate!

Mountain lions hunt large species of deer, elk, and moose. Those are animals much bigger in size and strength!

The body mass of mountain lion prey varies by region. For example, closer to the equator, mountain lions will hunt and feed on prey that is of a lower mass. Can you guess why that might be?

Sneak attack! Mountain lions typically hunt their prey by ambushing them rather than sprinting or chasing after.

With its strong limbs, the mountain lion usually waits until the prey comes near before jumping on to it and killing it via a powerful neck bite.

Mountain lion jaws are incredibly powerful so they can easily crush the prey’s windpipe or even snap the neck. Ouch!

A single adult mountain lion can survive on one large prey for around two weeks.

The mountain lion can save the carcass by hiding it and coming to feed on it over a few days.  Smart, resourceful and efficient!

Mountain lions will hunt and feed on prey that is of a lower mass, which means they aren’t picky. Small mammals are on the table for hungry mountain lions.

Mountain Lion Diet

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If You Encounter a Mountain Lion!

All throughout the United States, mountain lion habitats are encroached on by us – human beings! So it’s not crazy to think maybe one day you’ll encounter a mountain lion in the wild. Here’s what to do if YOU find yourself face-to-face with a mountain lion.

Stay calm: Hold your ground or back away slowly. Face the lion and stand upright.

Do not approach a lion: Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

Do not run from a mountain lion: You won’t win! Running away can stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact.

Do not crouch down or bend over: Biologists have told us that mountain lions don’t recognize standing humans as prey. They On the other hand, a person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal.

Do all you can to appear intimidating: Look larger by raising your arms and opening your jacket if you are wearing one. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.

Animal Facts for Kids!

Learn more about the amazing animals in our world with these random animal facts for kids.

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