If You Encounter a Lion | Stay Safe | Coexisting Video | Lions at Rancho | Identification

New Mountain Lion Conservation Research to Begin in Fall 2020 Midpen biologists and Santa Cruz Puma Project scientists are beginning a five-year mountain lion collaring study that will help us better understand how these secretive animals are using popular open space lands near urban areas, such as at Rancho San Antonio, Picchetti Ranch and Fremont Older preserves. This information, along with a concurrent study using wildlife cameras, will help us best manage our public open space preserves for the protection of both mountain lions and preserve visitors. We hope you’ll follow along and learn more about the many challenges these important big cats face, how we can best safely coexist to help them survive and thrive in the Santa Cruz Mountains region and beyond.

Background

Mountain lions, also known as pumas and cougars, play an important role as predators in our local ecosystem. Their primary food source is deer, but they can also prey on smaller animals like raccoons, rabbits. Occassionally, they opportunistically prey on domestic pets and livestock. More than half of California, including most of undeveloped San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, is prime mountain lion habitat. Mountain lions are a specially protected species in California.

Mountain lions face many challenges. They need large habitats, and as open space in the Santa Cruz Mountains has become hemmed in by roads and development, some are pushed into the wildland-urban interface. This is one reason why wildlife corridors like Midpen's Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossing, are critical for allowing wildlife to move safely across the landscape to access the resources they need to survive.

Download Mountain Lion Fact Sheet



If You Encounter a Mountain Lion If you encounter a mountain lion, take these safety precautions: DO NOT RUN!

Keep children and pets close.

Do not approach the lion.

Do not turn your back on the lion.

Do not crouch down or bend over.

Back away slowly while paying attention to how the lion is reacting to your movements. If you are getting farther away from their young, the lion may relax or walk away.

Leave the area and inform other preserve visitors of the potential danger.

and inform other preserve visitors of the potential danger. Fight back, if attacked.

Report sightings immediately to 650-691-2165.

Stay Safe in Mountain Lion Country

Stay alert when visiting a preserve.

Do not hike, bike or jog alone.

Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active – dawn, dusk, and at night.

Keep a close watch on small children.

Do not wear headphones.

Coexisting with Cougars Video Presentation

Learn all about mountain lions with Midpen Resource Management Specialist Matt Sharp Chaney. Matt provides an overview of mountain lion biology, habitat and research. He also shares how hikers, families and neighbors can stay safe in mountain lion habitat.

Mountain Lion Activity at Rancho San Antonio

Mountain lions have been observed in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Though seldom seen, they also roam most Midpen preserves.

Map is illustrative to demonstrate ongoing mountain lion presence across the preserve in a given year, it is not intended for analytical purposes.

Identification

The mountain lion has a small head and small rounded ears. It has a very long tail that is about 2/3rds the length of its body.

Color: Generally tan, but can range from gray to brown, with a whitish underside. The ears and tail are tipped with black. Cubs have camouflage spots that fade as they mature.

Generally tan, but can range from gray to brown, with a whitish underside. The ears and tail are tipped with black. Cubs have camouflage spots that fade as they mature. Size: Adult males can reach 8 feet in length from nose to tail; and weigh 130-150 lbs. Adult females can reach up to 7 feet in length and weigh 65-90 lbs.

Adult males can reach 8 feet in length from nose to tail; and weigh 130-150 lbs. Adult females can reach up to 7 feet in length and weigh 65-90 lbs. Tracks: Unlike a dog, mountain lions don’t leave a nail mark and their pads are shaped like the letter M.

Unlike a dog, mountain lions don’t leave a nail mark and their pads are shaped like the letter M. Behavior: Adult pumas are solitary and territorial animals. Males can have territories up to 100 square miles and females’ territories can range up to 60 square miles. They are most active between dusk and dawn, and generally avoid contact with humans, but have been known to stand their ground.

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