How to identify it
Very large, slender cat with a small head and small rounded ears without tufts. [1][2]
Uniform grizzled gray to tawny, cinnamon or rufous upperparts; whitish underparts, chin and throat. [1][2]
Long, heavy, cylindrical tail about one-third of total length, with the last 2-3 in black. [1][2]
Black sides of the muzzle and black behind the ears; pinkish nose. [1][2]
Males 79-265 lb, females 64-141 lb; total length 5-8.5 ft. [1][2]
Compared with the bobcat: Bobcat is much smaller with a short tail and a spotted, streaked coat rather than uniform colour. [1][2]
Species it is confused with
Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.
- Bobcat · Lynx rufus
- Canada lynx · Lynx canadensis
Where it lives
Areas with dense cover or rocky, rugged terrain and low human population, from mountain conifer forest to grassland, brush country and swamps. [1][2]
How it behaves
Solitary and primarily nocturnal, though sometimes active by day; climbs trees readily. [1][2]
Ambush predator that stalks and attacks at close range; deer are the main prey, also elk and smaller mammals. [1][2]
Caches large kills under leaves and debris, dragging them up to 350 m, and returns nightly to feed. [1][2]
Marks territory with scrapes, urine and scat; vocalizations include hisses, growls, yowls and screams. [1][2]
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Conservation and protection
- ENDANGERED — Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi): listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1967-03-11. · ECOS species profile: Florida panther
Where legal take is listed
- Alberta — hunting · 2026 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations
- British Columbia — hunting · 2026-2028 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis
- Saskatchewan — trapping · 2026-27 Trappers Guide
- Alaska — hunting, trapping · 2026-2027 Alaska Hunting Regulations: Fur Animals, Small Game, Unclassified Game, and Deleterious Exotic Wildlife (pp.140-142)
- Arizona — hunting · 2026-2027 Arizona Hunting Regulations
- Colorado — hunting · 2 CCR 406-2 Chapter W-2 Big Game (05/06/2026; eff. 2026-07-01)
- Idaho — hunting · Idaho Big Game 2026 Seasons & Rules
- Montana — hunting · 2026 Mountain Lion Hunting Regulations
- Nebraska — hunting · Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-473
- Nevada — hunting · Nevada 2026-2027 Big Game Seasons, Applications & Hunting Regulations (NDOW guide, eRegulations-hosted)
- New Mexico — hunting · 2026-2027 New Mexico Hunting Rules & Information (v08.11.26)
- North Dakota — hunting · 2026-2027 Small Game, Waterfowl and Furbearer Proclamation
- Oregon — hunting · 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations (official ODFW booklet, eRegulations host linked from myodfw.com)
- South Dakota — hunting · 2026 South Dakota Hunting and Trapping Handbook
- Texas — hunting, trapping · Outdoor Annual: Nongame, Exotic, Endangered, Threatened & Protected Species
- Utah — hunting, trapping · 2026 Black Bear, Cougar and Furbearer Guidebook
- Washington — hunting · 2026 Washington Big Game Hunting Seasons & Regulations (official WDFW pamphlet)
- Wyoming — hunting · WGFC Ch. 42 Mountain Lion Hunting Seasons (dated Jul 16 2025)
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
Historically ranged coast to coast in North America and north to southeastern Alaska. Now largely restricted to mountainous, sparsely populated areas, expanding in the western United States; eastern populations were exterminated except a small Florida panther population. Lions confirmed farther east, such as in Missouri, are likely wanderers from the west, and eastern sightings outside Florida are often escaped captive cats.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
- BIOLOGICALMountain Lion
Missouri Department of Conservation · reviewed 2026-09-30
Missouri Department of Conservation
- BIOLOGICALPuma concolor (cougar)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology · reviewed 2026-09-30
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology