Mysterious Mountain Lions of the Estes Valley
Mountain lion kitten photographed with a trail camera, 2020
Photos and text by Andy Ames, EVWC board member
Mountain lions have been in the news a lot lately and for good reason. Two dogs were attacked and it seems like every day one is recorded on a trail or security camera. Mountain lions are one of our most intriguing and mysterious animals. They are masters of stealth, spending their entire lives trying to be invisible, never seen, like a ghost of the forest. Just the sight of a track can send one’s heart rate soaring. While winter is often viewed as the season of scarcity, winter is the time of year that cougars thrive in the Estes Valley.
Mountain lions, which are also known as cougars, pumas and panthers, are native predators to the Estes Valley. They are attracted to the area for some of the same reasons many of us are -- the rugged terrain and abundant wildlife. Cougars primarily prey on deer and elk but will also take rabbits, raccoons, turkeys, and other small animals. In the winter, cougar sightings and activity increase around Estes because deer and elk concentrate in the lower elevations of the valley. This results in smaller and overlapping home ranges of area mountain lions. A home range is the territory an individual establishes that has all the resources needed for survival, namely food, shelter, and the ability to find a mate. Mountain lions must know their home range intimately in order to efficiently navigate the landscape in search of food. This home range is not static throughout the year, however, since as the prey moves, so must the predator. As the higher elevations become covered with snow, deer and elk converge in the lower elevations. This higher concentration of prey can support a higher concentration of predators. In the Estes area, for example, this could mean that mountain lions that utilize Lumpy Ridge and areas to the north, Deer Mountain to the west, Giant Track to the south, and Hermit Park to the east during the warmer months could all access the Estes Valley at some point during the winter. This could include mothers with their kittens, or cubs, too.
Female mountain lion photographed with a trail camera, 2020
Mountain lion kittens can be born any time of year and typically stay with their mother for 12 to 18 months. There is much to learn as a young cat who will eventually be hunting prey that could be several times larger than itself. Feeding and teaching young cubs can be very hard work for the mother. The kittens are not weaned for 2 to 3 months so the mother must stay close by but still hunt to feed herself. During this time, the mother may move her kittens several times for safety and to allow them to become familiar with their territory. By 7 to 8 weeks, the mother will start leading her cubs to kill sites, and as they grow older, she may leave them there for several days at a time while she goes off to hunt. Kittens can survive on their own at 6 months but typically stay with their mother much longer to develop their powerful bite and refine their hunting skills. Once they are ready to become independent, they either stay close by or disperse to find their own home range. This can be a dangerous time for a young cat because they have to learn a new landscape and where to find food.
Mountain lions are highly successful ambush predators. They roam their home range in search of prey, often traveling many miles between dusk and dawn. In order to be most successful, terrain plays an important role. A steep slope is helpful to be able to spot prey from above. Once prey is located, they silently stalk using rocks, gullies, downed trees, and vegetation to stay out of sight. If they are able to get within close range without being noticed, they then attack at just the right moment in a short burst. With their sharp claws and powerful bite, there is little chance for escape and it is all over quickly. Typically, lions eat the most nutritious internal organs first (except the stomach) and then move the carcass to a safe location and cover it up to hide it from scavengers. This allows the mountain lion to come back later to finish it off. A mother with kittens may take a couple of deer per week while others may wait over a week between meals.
Fortunately for us, humans are not on the mountain lion’s menu. Can you imagine if we were? Humans are extremely numerous, inhabit all parts of the ecosystem, have very predictable traveling patterns, and are generally not very aware of their surroundings. We would be easy pickings! That is not to say that attacks don’t happen, however. What should you do if you encounter a mountain lion? First of all, count yourself lucky since most people will never see one. Give it space and maintain eye contact. Do not run or turn your back. If it approaches, it is probably trying to figure out what you are. Make yourself look large by raising your arms or spreading your jacket. Do not scream, but speak firmly. Keep your children or pets close, and grab an object to protect yourself, if needed. Remember, the cat might be just as scared as you are. Make sure you both have an escape route. Likely, it won’t want to take its eyes off of you either and may crouch down trying to stay out of view. If attacked, fight back!
Mountain lion tracks in the snow
Since we are in mountain lion territory there are several things you can do to make your home and neighborhood safer. Number one is to not intentionally, or unintentionally, attract deer to your home. Remember, deer are the primary prey of cougars. Deer are known as browsers, meaning they feed on the tips of small plants, bushes, and trees. Naturally, they are constantly on the move nibbling on one plant and then another. By feeding wildlife you could be interrupting this natural movement. Deer will become accustomed to finding food in one concentrated spot and return to it regularly. This in turn may bring cougars closer to our homes and neighborhoods. Second, make sure you do not have shrubbery near the entrance or pathway to your home since this could provide cover for a cat. Third, since mountain lions are primarily active at night, keep your pet on a leash when taking it out at night. Use a light and be sure to check around corners. When not in use, remember to keep your pet door closed. You don’t want any uninvited visitors. Most importantly, wherever you are, always be aware of your surroundings.
The more I learn about mountain lions, the more they fill me with wonder. When I see that mountain lion track, I wonder where it came from and where it was going. When I see its photo appear on my trail camera, I wonder how it was doing. Did it have a successful night? Was it coming from its cache or was it still in search of its next meal? Where is it now? At best, we only get a small glimpse into its life. Some things will have to remain a mystery.
For more information about mountain lions go to:
https://mountainlion.org/about-mountain-lions/
http://files.cfc.umt.edu/cesu/NPS/CSU/2007/Crooks_ROMO_mountain%20lions_report.pdf