Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are elusive predators found across the Americas. These adaptable carnivores have the most extensive range of any wild land mammal in the Western Hemisphere. They are recognized by various regional names, yet all refer to the same species, Puma concolor. They thrive in diverse environments, from dense forests to arid deserts.
Mapping Their Current Presence
Mountain lion populations in the United States are concentrated in the Western states. Significant numbers are found in California (4,000-6,000 individuals) and Colorado (3,000-7,000). Other states with substantial populations include Oregon (over 6,000) and Texas (estimated around 5,600). Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming have established populations, ranging from 1,500 to 3,500. South Dakota has a smaller population of 200-300 mountain lions, primarily in the Black Hills.
Outside the Western strongholds, the Florida panther, a distinct subspecies, represents the only confirmed breeding population in the Eastern United States. This population, primarily in southwestern Florida, is estimated at 100-300 individuals. Occasional sightings in Midwestern and Eastern states are often transient males dispersing from Western populations, not established breeding groups. Arkansas has a small but growing population of about 30 mountain lions.
Preferred Habitats
Mountain lions demonstrate exceptional adaptability, inhabiting a wide array of environments. They can be found in mountainous terrain, dense coniferous and mixed forests, arid deserts, grasslands, swamps, and brush country, showcasing their capacity to utilize varied landscapes.
Habitat selection is driven by several requirements. Mountain lions prefer areas with dense cover, essential for ambush hunting and raising young. Sufficient prey, particularly deer, is a primary factor influencing their distribution. Reliable water sources are also necessary. They require large, undisturbed territories, as they are solitary and territorial animals.
Past and Present Ranges
Historically, mountain lions roamed nearly the entirety of the contiguous United States, and their range extended from Canada to the southern tip of South America. Their historical range encompassed diverse ecosystems, including vast mountain ranges, dense forests, expansive deserts, and wetlands.
The arrival of European settlers led to a significant contraction of their range, particularly in the Eastern United States. Widespread hunting, driven by bounties and perceived threats to livestock, along with extensive habitat loss due to agriculture and urban development, drastically reduced their numbers. By the early 20th century, mountain lions were largely extirpated from the Eastern and Midwestern regions, with the exception of the isolated Florida panther population.
In recent decades, conservation efforts and reclassification from bountied predators to managed game species in Western states have allowed populations to rebound. There is evidence of a gradual eastward expansion, with increased sightings and even re-established breeding populations in parts of the Midwest, such as Nebraska and South Dakota. These ongoing efforts, including habitat protection and wildlife corridors, aim to support their recovery and dispersal.