Other articles of interest

Evidence of a Mountain Lion

• The determination of mountain lions in the area will most likely need to be detected from their tracks. These large cats are very elusive and seldom sighted. They are very shy and evasive in their nature towards humans. So, any sign of these animals would normally be determined by signs that they have left behind.
  
  One of the best signs to look for if you suspects mountain lions in the area is their tracks. These large cats actually have the same personality and demeanor of house hold domesticated feline family members. An adult foot print is about the size of a small human hand. And their gait is about the size of a large dog. What gives them away is the pattern of all four prints in relation to one another.
  
  In there normal walking gait, they can leave a very distinctive sign of their presence. By observing the tracts found, what may make the determination difficult is that mountain lions tend to place their rear foot prints almost directly on top of their previous front prints. This may make it difficult to get a clear print of the animal.
  
  By watching a normal house cat, observe their demenor when in relaxed mode. They calmly and sure footedly step seemingly cautiously as they walk. Mountain lions have the same personality, and this is evident in their tracks. Their prints are normally very distinct and clearly printed on the ground. If the ground is muddy or if the tracks are on ideally soft wet sand, the print will be very clearly defined.
  
  Their print is very distinctive in comparison to that of, for instance a dog of the same size. This can be noticed by the characteristics of the print. The four toes are somewhat elongated and tear dropped shaped. Their heel is wider than that of a large dog. Their print is usually wider than long. Their prints also don't show signs of claws like that of a dog print since they tend to retract their claws when they walk. On an adult mountain lion, their print is about 3 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches long. This print characteristic explains the mountain lions increased level of agility and sure footedness compared to that of a dog.
  
  The one sign that gives them away in their distinguishing print of the heel. In comparison for example to a dog, a dogs triangular heel consists of a single frontal lobe, and two rear heel lobes. With a mountain lion, the somewhat triangular heel has two frontal lobes, and three rear heel lobes. The mountain lions heel is normally wider than that of a large dog.

  
  
  
  
  

  Other evidence of mountain lions in the are can be seen in the droppings from the animal. With adults, the dropping are about an inch in diameter, and may be in one to two inch segments. Pieces of bone may also be evident. Just like a dog, the mountain lion will scratch the ground backwards with it's hind legs after it's deposit, and leave a small mound of dirt with a shallow hole about 8 inches long.
  
  Another sign of mountain lions is evident scratch marks on tree trunks or stumps and fallen branches. This habit is similar to what we see with common house cats when they tend to claw furniture around the house. This behavior seems to be one of their ways of marking their territory with traces of their scent.
  
  If you find these clues that a mountain lion may be in the area, it's a time to be cautious. Make sure you keep an eye on children and pets. If you live in a rural area with chickens, rabbits, or other small animals, these are prime targets for a hungry mountain lion. If you find yourself in a face-to-face encounter with a mountain lion, there are steps to keep in mind and follow. The most important is do not run away. This will stimulate the instinctive emotion and reaction in the animal to chase after you. There is no way that we can outrun a mountain lion, and this could end up in an aggressive attack. If the mountain lion approaches, face with animal. Make eye contact, and try to make yourself as large as you can. For example, if wearing a coat, spread it out in a fashion to make yourself bigger than you are. Try to make your self as tall as you can. Yelling and frantically waving items such as branches or brush may convice the animal to back off and deliver a level of intimidation on it. Remember the mountain lion will respond to you instinctively and if you can undermine that instinct, you may be able to avert an attack.