{"id":1269,"date":"2022-03-03T09:28:47","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T16:28:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-azgfd-main.pantheonsite.io\/?post_type=species&p=1269"},"modified":"2025-04-22T16:52:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T23:52:38","slug":"mountain-lion","status":"publish","type":"species","link":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/species\/mountain-lion\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain Lion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

About<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mountain lions are stalk and ambush predators that hunt primarily at night and rely on ambush to kill their prey. They prefer to stalk from above, using rock ledges and steep terrain. Uneaten portions of a kill are hidden or covered with leaves, dirt or other debris. An entire deer can be consumed by an adult mountain lion in two nights. Males and females are highly territorial and often kill other mountain lions found in their territory.

Understanding Mountain Lion Management in Arizona<\/a> \u2014 The facts about Arizona\u2019s robust and expanding mountain lion population.
Video: Mountain Lions in Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Life History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mountain lions breed at any time of the year with the peak period for kitten births occurring in the summer. Litters average three kittens. Young remain with the mother for approximately 18 months learning the skills necessary to survive independently. Juvenile males tend to disperse much longer distances than juvenile females. Mountain lions are solitary animals with the exception of females with kittens or breeding pairs.

Deer, both whitetail and mule, are the primary prey for mountain lions in Arizona, although they will also prey on javelina, bighorn sheep, small mammals and livestock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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