There is no established, breeding population of mountain lions (Puma concolor), also known as cougars, pumas, or panthers, in New York State. The species was extirpated from New York by the late 1800s or early 1900s due to hunting and habitat loss. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confirms eastern cougars do not have a native, self-sustaining population.
While no resident population exists, rare, isolated sightings of transient individuals occur. These instances involve young male mountain lions dispersing from western populations, sometimes traveling vast distances. For example, a cougar from South Dakota traveled nearly 1,800 miles, passing through New York, before being killed in Connecticut in 2011. Other confirmed sightings involve captive mountain lions that escaped from licensed facilities.
Understanding Reported Sightings
Despite the absence of a resident population, reports of mountain lion sightings in New York are common. These reports are often the result of misidentification of other wildlife or domestic animals.
Animals frequently mistaken for mountain lions include bobcats, coyotes, large domestic dogs, and even domestic cats viewed from a distance. Bobcats, which are native to New York, can sometimes be confused with mountain lions. Coyotes, also prevalent in the state, are another common source of misidentification due to their size. Even large dogs, especially those with tan or tawny coats, can be mistaken for a cougar. The DEC often investigates these reports, concluding that most are misidentifications.
Where Mountain Lions Live
Mountain lions once had the most extensive distribution of any terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, ranging from coast to coast in North America and extending through Central and South America. However, their populations in eastern North America, with the exception of a distinct subpopulation in Florida, were largely exterminated by the early 20th century.
Today, established mountain lion populations are primarily found in the western United States and Canada, as well as parts of Central and South America. The only confirmed breeding cougar population in the eastern United States is the Florida panther, which resides in pinelands, tropical hardwood hammocks, and mixed freshwater swamp forests in South Florida. Mountain lions are adaptable, inhabiting diverse environments such as mountains, forests, deserts, and wetlands, provided there is adequate cover and prey.
Identifying Large Felines
Distinguishing between a mountain lion and other large animals in New York involves observing key physical characteristics. A mountain lion (Puma concolor) typically has a uniform tan or tawny-beige coat, a pale whitish-gray underbelly, and striking black accents on its ears, snout, and tail-tip. A defining feature is its long, thick tail, which can measure more than one-third of the animal’s total body length, often with a black tip. Adult mountain lions are robust, with males weighing between 115 and 220 pounds and measuring 6 to 8 feet in length, including the tail.
In contrast, a bobcat (Lynx rufus) is significantly smaller, weighing 15 to 30 pounds, and has a distinctive short, “bobbed” tail, typically 2 to 8 inches long, with black fur on top and white underneath. Their coat is usually orange-brown to pale gray with black spots and bars. Coyotes (Canis latrans) resemble small German Shepherd dogs, with a slender build, pointed ears, a narrow snout, and a bushy tail often carried low. They typically weigh 20 to 55 pounds, with coats varying from gray, brown, or tawny. If a large wild animal is sighted, it is advisable to maintain a safe distance and report the observation to local wildlife authorities.