The cougar, also known as the mountain lion, puma, or catamount, is a highly adaptable and powerful apex predator. It is the most widely distributed wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, occupying diverse habitats from mountain forests to deserts. Cougars are not friendly; they are wild animals driven by instinct and survival, not social interaction with humans. This discussion explores the cougar’s true nature, examining its predatory biology and outlining steps for safe coexistence.
Defining the Cougar’s Disposition
Cougars are fundamentally solitary animals with an elusive temperament, leading them to actively avoid human contact. They prefer large, well-defined territories, which they defend against other cougars through scent marking and vocalizations. This innate shyness means cougars living near human settlements are rarely seen, often remaining hidden in dense cover.
The primary drivers governing a cougar’s life are hunting, survival, and territorial defense. They do not seek social interaction, and their non-aggressive nature toward humans stems from this preference for isolation. Cougars are most active at dawn and dusk (nocturnal and crepuscular), further demonstrating their effort to avoid human-dominated daylight hours.
Understanding Predatory Behavior
As obligate carnivores, cougars must consume meat to survive, making them expert ambush hunters built for stealth and explosive power. Their diet in North America consists predominantly of large ungulates, with deer making up the majority of their kills. A large male cougar may take down a deer or elk every nine to twelve days, caching the remains and returning to feed.
The hunting technique relies on patience, camouflage, and a powerful final pounce, resulting in a kill by driving their canine teeth into the prey’s neck or throat. Cougars generally do not recognize adult humans as a food source. However, small or fast-moving objects, such as a child or a jogging human, can sometimes trigger a predatory chase response because they mimic natural prey behavior.
The Reality of Human-Cougar Encounters
Cougar attacks on humans are statistically rare events. Despite their rarity, the frequency of conflicts has seen an upward trend since the 1970s because human development is increasingly encroaching into cougar habitat. In the United States and Canada, confirmed cougar attacks resulting in injury or death occur only about four to six times per year.
Conflict often arises in specific circumstances, such as when a cougar is defending a recent kill or has become habituated to humans. Habituation occurs when cougars lose their natural fear, often due to easy access to pet food, unsecured livestock, or the feeding of other wildlife that attracts the cats. People moving quickly or erratically, such as joggers, bikers, or children playing alone, are statistically more likely to be attacked because their movement patterns resemble those of traditional prey.
Safety Measures and Deterrence
Coexisting safely with cougars requires proactive prevention and a clear plan for reacting to a close encounter. Prevention begins at home by removing attractants.
Prevention at Home
Landowners should secure pets and livestock within fully enclosed shelters at night. They should also trim dense vegetation near residences, as cougars rely on this cover for stalking. Finally, avoid feeding deer or other wildlife that would draw a cougar to the area.
Safety in Cougar Country
When recreating, it is important to take several precautions:
- Hike in groups.
- Avoid solo excursions, particularly during the active hours of dawn and dusk.
- Make noise while hiking to alert a cougar to your presence, allowing the animal time to retreat.
- Carry an air horn or bear spray to provide an effective, non-lethal deterrent.
Responding to an Encounter
If a cougar encounter occurs, never run, as this triggers the cat’s innate chase instinct. Immediately face the animal, maintain eye contact, and pick up any small children or pets without crouching down. The goal is to appear as large and intimidating as possible by raising your arms, opening your jacket, and speaking firmly in a loud voice. If the cougar makes aggressive contact, fight back vigorously, targeting the eyes and nose, as this often convinces the animal to disengage.