Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are a native and adaptable species found across California. These large, solitary cats are the second largest wild felines in North America, following the jaguar. They navigate a wide array of environments throughout the state. Their elusive nature generally leads them to avoid human encounters, yet their expansive territories mean they exist closer to human populations than many realize.
Geographic Strongholds
Mountain lions inhabit approximately 40% to 46% of California’s land area, about 71,117 square miles. Their range stretches from northern to southern California, encompassing vast wilderness areas. They are particularly concentrated in the state’s northwestern regions, including Humboldt and Mendocino Counties, where populations are abundant. Significant populations also thrive in the Sierra Nevada, coastal ranges, and the fragmented mountain systems of Southern California, such as the Santa Ana, San Bernardino, San Gabriel, Santa Monica, and Santa Cruz Mountains. These areas exclude the heavily developed Central Valley and much of the arid southeastern deserts.
Preferred Habitats
Mountain lions favor specific ecological conditions. They seek environments offering dense cover, essential for stalking prey and establishing secure den sites. Such cover is often found in forested areas, woodlands, chaparral, and rocky terrains. Access to reliable water sources is also important, particularly in the state’s drier regions.
The availability of prey, primarily deer, is a significant factor dictating where mountain lions establish their territories. They are opportunistic hunters and will also prey on elk, wild pigs, and smaller mammals, including raccoons, depending on what is available. Male mountain lions typically maintain large home ranges, averaging between 100 and 200 square miles, while females occupy smaller territories, often ranging from 30 to 70 square miles. These large territories ensure sufficient resources.
Population and Protected Status
Current scientific estimates suggest California’s mountain lion population ranges between 3,200 and 4,500 individuals. This figure, updated by more rigorous studies, is lower than previous estimates (4,000-6,000). Since 1990, mountain lions have been designated a “specially protected mammal” under California law, established by the California Wildlife Protection Act (Proposition 117). This legal protection prohibits recreational hunting throughout the state.
Exceptions apply when a mountain lion poses an imminent threat to public safety, livestock, or federally listed bighorn sheep. In 2020, mountain lion populations in Southern California and along the Central Coast advanced to candidate status under the California Endangered Species Act. This increased protection stems from concerns about genetic isolation and habitat loss in these regions.
Living in Shared Landscapes
As human populations expand, development increasingly encroaches upon traditional mountain lion habitats, leading to more frequent interactions. While mountain lions prefer wild, undeveloped areas, their need for extensive territories means they sometimes venture into suburban or exurban areas, particularly those that border wildlands. These areas, often referred to as wildland-urban interface zones, are where encounters between humans and mountain lions are most likely to occur.
The fragmentation of habitats by roads and other human infrastructure poses a challenge for these animals, limiting their movement and potentially leading to issues such as inbreeding, particularly evident in Southern California’s isolated populations. Conflicts can arise when mountain lions prey on domestic animals or livestock, prompting responses from wildlife authorities. Efforts to conserve mountain lions in these shared landscapes focus on preserving contiguous habitats and establishing wildlife corridors to allow for safer movement and genetic exchange.