Mountain lions ( _Puma concolor_ ) and raccoons ( _Procyon lotor_ ) are two of North America’s most adaptable and widespread mammals. The mountain lion, also known as the cougar or puma, is a solitary, powerful predator, while the raccoon is an intelligent, omnivorous survivor. Encounters between these animals are a natural part of their shared ecosystems. The answer to whether mountain lions eat raccoons is a definitive yes. This predatory relationship is part of the mountain lion’s broad and opportunistic diet, confirmed by wildlife biologists studying their feeding habits.
Raccoons as Confirmed Prey
Scientific evidence confirms that raccoons are a documented food source for mountain lions, even if they are not the primary target. Wildlife researchers frequently analyze mountain lion scat, or droppings, to determine the cat’s diet in a specific area. Analysis of these samples often reveals the hair and bone fragments of smaller mammals, including raccoons, confirming their consumption. Documented kill sites also provide direct proof of this predatory behavior. Reports from areas like the urban-wildland interface have occasionally captured mountain lions feeding on raccoons. While mountain lions are known to cache larger prey like deer, they often consume smaller animals such as a raccoon in a single sitting.
Hierarchy of Mountain Lion Prey
Mountain lions are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet must consist entirely of meat, and they function as ambush predators. Their feeding strategy centers on taking down the largest, most calorie-dense prey available, such as large ungulates like mule deer and white-tailed deer. A single mountain lion may take down a deer about once a week to sustain itself. The raccoon sits lower on the mountain lion’s prey hierarchy, functioning as a secondary or opportunistic meal consumed when larger prey is scarce or difficult to hunt. Raccoons fit into the category of supplemental food, alongside other mid-sized mammals like coyotes, porcupines, and rabbits.
Overlapping Territories and Encounters
The likelihood of a mountain lion-raccoon encounter is significantly increased by the overlapping territories both species inhabit. Mountain lions are highly adaptable, living in environments ranging from remote mountains to foothills near suburban developments. Raccoons are also known for their impressive adaptability, thriving in both wild woodlands and urban settings where food is abundant. These shared habitats, particularly at the edges of human settlements, create frequent interaction zones. Raccoons are often drawn to human areas by readily available food sources, such as garbage or pet food. Their nocturnal activity further increases the chance of an encounter with the primarily nocturnal mountain lion.