It was an early morning awakening for a mother mountain lion with four cubs. She woke to vast mountains and the bright morning sun. Her stomach was rumbling with the dissatisfaction of emptiness as were her cubs’, so she took off into the vast mountains, hoping for her next meal. She used her fur to blend in with her surroundings and, luckily, came upon a group of white tailed deer. She snuck upon the group, leapt on the large male buck, and grabbed hold of his throat; the fight was over in just a few minutes. There are many like her doing the same across the continent of North America. She brings the meal to her den, making herself and cubs happy once again. Frightening and beautiful, the mountain lion’s characteristics, …show more content…
The region of where a mountain lion is located determines the coat color and size of the mountain lion (“Mountain” para 3). Most mountain lions weigh anywhere from 80 to 130 pounds, depending on the sex (“Answers” para 7). Mountain lions that live farther south such as Chile are typically smaller than the ones that live in North America (Beier para 2). Male mountain lions are much bigger than the females, but both look very much alike (“Answers” para 7). The length of mountain lions from nose to tail tip can be anywhere between 5 to 8 feet, also depending on the gender of the animal (“Answers” para 7). Tails of mountain lions are easily recognizable by their huge size (“Answers” para 7). Male and female mountain lions’ tails can be anywhere between 630 to 960 mm in length (Dewey para 6). The skull of a mountain lion is small and stout for their body (Dewey para 5). The jaw is powerful, short, and deep; nevertheless, do not be mistaken mountain lions have very large teeth (Dewey para 5). A pink nose and black lips are easily spotted on a mountain lion (Dewey para 5). A mountain lions paw is not like any other. It is an M-shaped paw that has three lobes (“Answers” para …show more content…
The average mountain lion kills a big mammal every week by attacking from the rear; however, it is a much harder job hunting alone (“Answers” para 14). Some large animals mountain lions prey on are moose, elk, white tailed deer, mule deer, and caribou (Dewey para 29). Small creatures make up a good majority of a mountain lions diet this can include squirrels, muskrats, porcupines, beavers, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, bobcats, and other mountain lions (Dewey para 29). Farmers livestock such as poultry, calves, sheep, goats, and pigs are all at risk to mountain lions (Dewey para 29). Mountain lions can eat up to 1,300 kg yearly, but this is only on large animals (Dewey para 29). Mountain lions are so smart they have developed a system to put rummage such as grass, leaves, and pine needles on the leftovers to hide it and prevent spoiling (“Answers” para