No. 016 · mammal · Risk: Low (rare encounters)
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
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In season · SeptemberSouthwestMountain WestPacific West
- Field tell
- Tan, unspotted coat; long tail with a dark tip. Sightings are usually brief, at a distance, near dawn or dusk.
- Why it matters
- Not venomous — included as a trail hazard, not a bite/sting risk.
- Habitat
- Remote canyons, scrub, and forested foothills; solitary and generally avoids people.
- Season
- Active year-round, mostly at dawn and dusk (crepuscular).
LARGE PREDATOR
If you encounter a mountain lion or wolf
- Do not run — running can trigger a chase instinct.
- Stand tall, raise your arms, and open your jacket to appear larger.
- Speak firmly in a loud voice and maintain eye contact; back away slowly without turning your back.
- Pick up small children without bending down or crouching.
- If attacked, fight back with whatever is at hand — rocks, sticks, or a backpack as a shield.
Not medical advice. Call 911 or Poison Control 1-800-222-1222.
Related mammals
- Gray Wolf — Larger and longer-legged than a coyote, travels in packs, howls rather than yips.
- American Black Bear — Straight facial profile, no shoulder hump, short claws; color ranges from black to cinnamon.
- Grizzly / Brown Bear — Prominent shoulder hump, dish-shaped face, long claws; larger and more robust than a black bear.