Males occupy larger territories (more than 115 square miles) that are generally exclusive from other males. Females occupy relatively large territories (about thirty-eight square miles) that overlap with the territory of other, sometimes related, females. Mountain lions are adaptable to a wide range of habitat, essentially occupying most areas that provide sufficient hiding cover and large prey such as deer and elk. Management removals can occur from pet or livestock depredation or from direct conflict with humans. However, in urban areas human-caused mortality generally comes from vehicle collisions and management-related removals due to human conflict. In most populations human-caused mortality, including hunting, is a significant source of mortality. Natural sources of mortality for mountain lions include predation from bears and wolves, defending territory and food from other mountain lions, disease, and injury, generally from attacking large prey. Reported survival rates for mountain lions range between 75 percent to 90 percent for adults and 70 percent to 75 percent for dependent young. Average population density in suitable habitat is about two to three independent adult mountain lions (at least two years old) per thirty-eight square miles, generally with more females in the population than males. Kittens are born all year, with birth rates rising in late spring and throughout the summer.
Females begin to reproduce at about two years of age, usually having two to three kittens per litter, with an average birth interval of eighteen months. The average life span of mountain lions is about twelve years, although it is less in hunted populations and for males, as they are more susceptible to hunting. Dispersed mountain lions have also been reported in other Midwestern states and points farther east, where one was killed by a vehicle in Connecticut. Recent mountain lion management has resulted in their reestablishment eastward, and they have expanded into Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota. After decades of sound management, mountain lion populations in Colorado are viable across much of the animal’s historic range and provide hunting opportunities across the state. In 1965 their legal status changed to that of a big game animal, reflecting growing public appreciation and concern for mountain lions. Until 1965 the status of mountain lions in Colorado was that of a varmint, with a $50 bounty. Persecution of mountain lions was largely driven by human fear and the protection of livestock. Historically, mountain lions had the broadest geographic range of any North American mammal, but widespread hunting greatly reduced the geographic distribution and population of these animals by the 1960s. On average, females weigh 80-100 pounds and may be up to 7 -feet long. Males are larger than females, weighing an average of 130-150 pounds and 8 feet in length. Mountain lions are the cat of one color, hence the Latin term “ concolor”-tawny to light cinnamon with a light underside and black-tipped ears and tail. Although they can be found anywhere in the state, they are rarely found on the eastern plains of Colorado. They inhabit much of Colorado’s foothills and mountains. Mountain lions are obligate carnivores, meaning that only animal flesh can meet their bodies’ nutritional needs. The mountain lion ( Puma concolor)-also known as the cougar and puma-is the largest wild felid, or member of the cat family, in Colorado.