Pumas, also known as cougars, mountain lions, or catamounts, are powerful predators found across the Americas. While their interactions with humans are rare, particularly concerning attacks, pumas generally avoid human contact. Encounters leading to aggression are extremely uncommon.
Puma Diet
Pumas are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet consists entirely of meat. Their primary prey includes large hoofed mammals such as deer, elk, and bighorn sheep, which can be larger than the pumas themselves.
Beyond larger game, pumas also hunt smaller animals like rabbits, hares, raccoons, and rodents. They are opportunistic hunters, adapting their diet based on the availability of prey in their specific habitat.
Rarity of Human Predation
Puma attacks on humans are exceptionally rare events, especially considering the vast territories these animals inhabit. In North America, there have been only around 126 documented attacks over the past century, with fatal incidents being even less common. Since 1868, there have been 29 confirmed or suspected fatal puma attacks on humans, averaging about 0.18 fatalities per year.
The risk of a fatal puma attack is significantly lower than that of fatal snake bites, lightning strikes, or even bee stings. The odds of being fatally attacked by a puma in the United States are around one in a billion. Pumas do not recognize humans as natural prey and often flee at the sound of human voices.
Factors Contributing to Attacks
Puma attacks occur under specific circumstances. One factor is mistaken identity, where a human’s movements, such as jogging or bending over, might resemble prey animals. Pumas are sensitive to movement, and rapid or erratic actions can trigger their predatory instincts. Children are considered more vulnerable, and studies indicate that those moving quickly or erratically are at higher risk.
Another factor involves pumas habituated to human presence, often due to access to food sources near human settlements like pets or livestock. This habituation can lead to a reduced fear of humans. Attacks may also occur if a puma feels cornered, is defending its cubs or a recent kill, or if the animal is sick, injured, or starving. Young, inexperienced pumas might also be more prone to encounters as they learn to hunt.
Minimizing Risk in Puma Territory
For those spending time in puma habitats, several precautions can help minimize risk. Making noise while hiking, such as talking or singing, alerts pumas to human presence, allowing them to avoid encounters. Hiking in groups is also advisable, as pumas are less likely to approach multiple people. Keeping children and pets close and supervised, especially during dawn or dusk when pumas are most active, can further reduce risk.
If a puma encounter occurs, remain calm and avoid running, as this can trigger a chase instinct. Instead, make yourself appear as large as possible by raising your arms or opening a jacket, and make loud, confident noises. Maintain eye contact and back away slowly, never turning your back. In the rare event of an attack, fight back aggressively with any available objects, aiming to protect your head and neck.