Mountain Lion

California’s mountain lions, also called cougars or pumas (Puma concolor), occupy nearly half of the state’s natural terrain—from forests and coastal brushlands to mountaintops. These large, solitary cats hunt primarily at night, typically targeting deer and caching meals for repeated consumption. Males may roam over 100 square miles while females occupy somewhat smaller territories.

New population estimates, derived from modern telemetry and genetic methods, place the statewide total between 3,200 and 4,500 individuals, a refinement of earlier rough figures of 4,000–6,000. Despite these numbers, populations—especially in Southern California—face grave risks due to habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes, wildfires, rodenticide poisoning, inbreeding, and development.

Projects like the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, wildfire habitat recovery efforts, and legal protections under Proposition 117 are essential to reconnecting fragmented populations and safeguarding genetic health. Mountain lions are legally protected against hunting, with only specific exceptions, and several isolated population groups are under consideration for formal endangered status.

Effective conservation requires continued habitat connectivity, public awareness, and legislative support to ensure these apex predators continue to thrive across California.