None of the above is meant to detract in any way from the reputation of the mountain lion or its place in American folklore. It is the third largest predator in the Southwest, being exceeded only by the jaguar and the bear in size, and surpassing them both in agility. In the past, it has been feared and hated by those whose herds and flocks have suffered from its depredations. Their efforts to exterminate it have resulted in grave biological problems at times, but in the light of more advanced study it seems probable this big carnivore will be spared in the future to keep its rightful place in our wilder areas.
The mountain lion “goes with the deer”; that is to say, its function is to keep deer in check so that they will not eat up their range and starve to death. Though at first glance such a possibility seems out of the question, this has become a serious problem in recent years. It will be further intensified as suitable deer range becomes more restricted with the advance of civilization. Another function of the mountain lion-deer relationship is to weed out the diseased and inferior individuals so that the deer herd will remain healthy and up to good physical standards. It may be argued that the same end is reached by hunting, and so it is, with one major exception. The nimrod, intent on a fine trophy head, takes the buck in the prime of life, a time when he should be sireing the herd of the future. The cougar does not consciously select its victims; it takes the most easily caught, thus leaving the wisest and healthiest survivors as breeding stock.
Though deer are the lion’s preferred food, many other species of mammals are preyed upon when deer are scarce. These range in size from the smallest rodents to animals as large as elk. Among the more unlikely species recorded are skunk and bobcat. The lion also has the dubious distinction of being one of the chief predators of the porcupine. Dining on this last species is fraught with danger, however, because no matter how expertly the carcass is removed from its spiney covering, a few quills will penetrate the flesh of the diner. Little prey other than mammals is ever taken. Birds are not easily caught by such a large animal and, although it does not shun water, it is poorly equipped to take any form of aquatic life. The mountain lion will not eat carrion except under the most dire circumstances and prefers food that it has killed itself.
There are two principal methods by which the mountain lion catches its prey. The stalk and pounce technique of the common house cat is most effective in brushy country where the low crouch of the lion places its bulk behind the close ground cover. With tip of tail twitching, it creeps forward until a short run and spring, or the spring alone, will carry it to the front flank of the unsuspecting victim. If the neck of the hunted is not broken by the impact of the heavy body, the sharp claws or massive canine teeth are brought into play to rip the jugular vein and end the struggle. In the other method of hunting, the lion chooses a ledge above a game trail and simply waits there until some animal to its liking passes below. The weight of its body usually is sufficient to bear the victim to the ground and it is soon dispatched. Mountain lion studies in California have determined that in hunting deer the animal will catch one in every three attempts. It has been estimated that in an area of heavy deer population each mountain lion will kill one each week. It is of interest to note that in many places in the Southwest deer are on the increase, indicating the need for more predators to keep down their number.
Since the mountain lion has few enemies, its reproduction rate is low. Two to four kittens are born in each litter, but usually at 2- to 3-year intervals. Dens are sometimes located deep among the rocks; others may be no more than a grass nest in the brush on a rocky ridge. Like domestic kittens the young are born blind. They have an interesting color pattern at birth, a strongly spotted coat and a faintly ringed tail. This completely disappears when they are about half grown, leaving them with the tawny reddish coat which blends so well with their surroundings. They mature at about 2 years of age; beautifully evolved killers which must be admired by everyone who has come to understand the methods by which Nature regulates the animal world.
Bobcat
Lynx rufus (Latin: name of animal, and rufus, reddish)
Range: Common throughout much of the United States and Mexico. Found throughout the Southwest.
Habitat: This common species is found in all zones wherever there is sufficient cover to hide it.
Description: A bobcat distinguished from the lynx by having small ear tufts, a more rufous color, and a black band which crosses only the upper surface of the tail tip. Total length 30 to 35 inches. Tail 5 inches. Weight 15 to 30 pounds. This is a chunky animal with long, muscular legs and large feet. The sides of the face are heavily streaked with black, backs of ears dark, coat generally tawny to rufous above, underparts lighter. Dark spots rather prominent throughout coat, insides of front legs often barred with darker color. Young from two to six, usually born in early spring; only one litter per year.