AN INTRODUCTION TO THE COUGAR

The cougar or mountain lion is a large and potentially dangerous animal that is a natural and rather common - but not often observed - inhabitant of Mount Rainier National Park. The scientific name of the cougar, Felis concolor, means "cat of one color." The animal is identified by its large size, cat-like appearance, uniformly gray to reddish-tan body color, and long tail - nearly three feet (1 m) long and a third of its total length. The muzzle and chest are white and there are black markings on the face, ears and tip of the tail; young kittens have black spots on the body. Adult male cougars can weigh over 150 lbs. (70 kg), females from 90 to 110 lbs. (40-50 kg), and sub-adults 40 to 80 lbs. (20-40 kg). Adult males often have a larger head, neck and shoulders and more husky appearance; females and subadults are often more lean and slender. Click on the picture of the cougar for a larger photograph.

Generally, adult cougars are solitary animals and come together only for mating. Kittens stay with their mother for up to two years. Females first breed at 18-24 months of age. The gestation period is 92 days, and kittens are born at two-to-three year intervals. Kittens are born with blue eyes and a spotted coat, but the spots gradually fade and disappear by age two. During late spring and summer, one to two-year old cougars become independent of their mothers. While attempting to find a home range, these young cougars may roam widely in search of unoccupied territory. This is when cougars are most likely to conflict with humans.

The cougar's primary prey is deer. It will also feed on elk, rabbits, beaver, raccoons, grouse, and occasionally livestock and domestic pets. Cougars are most active at dusk and dawn. However, they will roam and hunt at any time of the day or night and in all seasons.

COUGAR TRACKS
Cougars have four toes with three distinct lobe present at the base of the pad. Claws are retractable, so they usually do not leave imprints. If tracks show two or more cougars travelling together, it probably indicates a female with kittens.

TRAVELING IN COUGAR COUNTRY

COUGAR-HUMAN INTERACTIONS
No human injuries have occurred in the park due to a cougar, although sightings and encounters by visitors have increased in recent years. In North America, attacks on humans by cougars are rare. Unsupervised children and lone adults tend to be most at risk. Far more outdoor casualties are due to lightning, drowning, bee stings, or dog bites. However, more cougar attacks have occurred in the western U.S. and Canada during the past 20 years than in the previous 80. Few of the many thousands of people who travel in the park are likely to see, much less confront, a cougar. Yet it is wise to know how to deal with such an incident.

SOME PREVENTIONS TIPS

HIKE IN SMALL GROUPS RATHER THAN ALONE. PERSONS RUNNING OR MOVING RAPIDLY ARE AT HIGHER RISK. Make enough noise to prevent surprising a cougar; a sturdy walking stick could be useful in fending off an animal.

KEEP CHILDREN UNDER CLOSE CONTROL, preferably in view just ahead of you.

BE ALERT TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS, especially in dense cover and when sitting, crouching or lying down.

WATCH FOR COUGAR TRACKS AND SIGNS. Cougar scat is about the size of a large dog's scat and usually contains large amounts of hair.

DO NOT APPROACH COUGAR KITTENS. Kittens are usually well-hidden. However, if you do stumble upon cougar kittens, do not approach or attempt to pick them up. Leave the area immediately, as a female will be in the vicinity and will defend her young.

AVOID DEAD ANIMALS, especially carcasses of recently killed and partially covered deer or elk.

REDUCE ODOR ATTRACTANTS by securing meat and other food and garbage in double plastic bags, hang food when in camp, and keep a clean cam.

HUMAN PETS ARE AN ATTRACTANT for cougars, and are permitted only on park roads and in vehicle campgrounds if leashed and under physical control. They are NOT PERMITTED ON PARK TRAILS OR IN THE WILDERNESS. Leaving your pet tied at a campsite in vehicle campgrounds is illegal and may attract a cougar. You could lose a pet.

IF YOU MEET A COUGAR

DO NOT APPROACH THE COUGAR, especially an animal near a kill or with kittens. And do not offer it food or otherwise entice it, which will not encourage it to leave.

STOP, STAND UPRIGHT, AND DON'T RUN. Sudden movements can trigger an attack.

PICK UP SMALL CHILDREN IMMEDIATELY, to prevent any rapid or panicky movements.

DO NOT TURN YOUR BACK ON THE COUGAR. Face the cougar and remain upright.

STAY CALM, and talk to the cougar in a soft, confident voice.

SLOWLY BACK AWAY.

GIVE THE COUGAR AN ESCAPE ROUTE.

TRY TO APPEAR LARGER, RAISE YOUR ARMS, raise your jacket, etc., over your head; and try to stay above (higher than) the animal.

MOST COUGARS SOON DEPART; how you behave can aid a prompt departure.

IF THE COUGAR BECOMES AGGRESSIVE (Aggressive signs are: advances closer toward you, crouching, fixed staring; ears back, teeth bared, hissing; and a reluctance to leave.)

BECOME MORE ASSERTIVE: SHOUT LOUDLY, WAVE, AND THROW THINGS (sticks, rocks, etc.), while remaining upright and not taking your eyes off the animal or turning your back on it.

THE OBJECT IS TO CONVINCE THE COUGAR THAT YOU ARE NOT PREY AND ARE A DANGER TO IT.

FIGHT BACK AGGRESSIVELY if it attacks you, and try to stay on your feet. Cougars have been driven away by people who fought back with anything available: sticks, rocks, clothing, backpacks, bare hands, etc.

REPORTING OBSERVATIONS

Please report all sightings of cougars as soon as possible to the nearest ranger station, visitor center, or park headquarters (Tahoma Woods, Star Route, Ashford, WA 98304; phone (360) 569-2211, in an emergency dial 911). Give your name and telephone number, so that a timely follow-up can occur to obtain further information if necessary. Information needed includes: the date and time, location, and a brief summary of the incident; physical description of the animal (why you think it is a cougar); how close you were to it (in feet), and how long (seconds or minutes) it was in view. Prompt reporting of observations can provide useful information to other visitors and assist in developing improved management responses for unsafe situations.

For more on cougars, see the Cougars page at CCSO.

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