Mountain lions, also known as cougars, pumas, or panthers, are present in Texas. While they historically roamed nearly all of the state, their populations are now concentrated in specific regions, and their distribution is not uniform.
Primary Habitats in Texas
The primary stronghold for mountain lions in Texas is the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, including Big Bend National Park. This mountainous and desert landscape offers ideal conditions, with sightings and mortalities most frequently reported here.
Mountain lions are also common in the dense brush country of South Texas, particularly the Rio Grande Plains, which provides ample cover and prey. Less common sightings occur in parts of the Edwards Plateau, also known as the Texas Hill Country. While occasional dispersal happens in areas like the Panhandle and Gulf Coastal Marsh, these are not primary habitats.
Factors Influencing Their Presence
The distribution of mountain lions in Texas is heavily influenced by the availability of their preferred prey. White-tailed and mule deer are primary food sources, along with smaller mammals like javelina, rabbits, and porcupines. The density of these prey animals impacts where mountain lions establish home ranges.
Suitable terrain also plays a significant role. Mountain lions prefer rugged, remote, and undeveloped areas like rocky canyons, escarpments, and dense brush. These environments provide essential cover for hunting, denning, and avoiding human disturbance. They generally avoid heavily timbered or human-dominated environments.
Mountain lions require large, contiguous tracts of wilderness, as they are solitary animals with expansive home ranges. Males can roam up to 100 square miles, while females typically occupy 20 to 60 square miles. Areas with low human population density and minimal development are more conducive to sustaining populations.
Legal Status and Population Trends
In Texas, mountain lions are classified as a nongame animal, meaning they are not protected. There are no closed seasons, bag limits, or possession limits, allowing for year-round harvest by any lawful means on private property.
Recent regulatory changes, approved in May 2024, include a ban on “canned hunts” and a requirement for trappers to check traps every 36 hours. These are the first significant changes in over 50 years.
Precise population figures are difficult to obtain due to their elusive nature and lack of mandatory harvest reporting. However, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) uses sighting and mortality information to assess their presence. While some studies suggest stable or increasing populations in core ranges, the South Texas population shows indications of reduced genetic diversity and potential decline. TPWD manages mountain lions as a species of concern and is developing a management plan.