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Mountain Lions Facts 101

Jennifer Smith

Posted on November 07 2018

Here's what we know about mountain lions: they are beautiful animals, walking gracefully along the Western part of the United States; but they are not the type of wild cat that is welcoming to humans nor pets. In fact, most mountain lions are quick to attack pets especially small cats. 

There are approximately 30,000 mountain lions (cougars) in the Western United States. And, 4-6000 of these mountain lions are located in California. All together, cougar populations are found in just the sixteen states of Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming,Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, and Florida.

Yes, this is a huge problem; but it can be controlled with fencing. 

Unlike bears, mountain lions will not tear most fences apart, and unlike coyotes, foxes, skunks and dogs, mountain lions won't dig beneath a fence. But a lion's ability to climb and to jump means that a barn or covered pen is always a better choice for protection. They are bound up to 40 feet running and can leap 15 feet up a tree!
 
The best way to prevent mountain lion attacks on pets is to install a complete garden enclosure with a top that can block jumping attempts. It will need to be chew-proof, of course. Or, a cat fence with an overhang extender that is 12 feet high works well. The last thought is to install electric fence around properties.