Do Mountain Lions Travel Together?

March 14, 2019

Question: My dad has game cameras to photograph wildlife that travel through his property in Mendocino, and they regularly capture photos of mountain lions. Recently he looked out his window and saw three lions traveling together. A game camera caught separate images of each cat as they passed by. I’m wondering why three mountain lions might travel together, when generally I thought of them as more independent. Also, do you think the first one looks pregnant? (Sarah)

Answer: This might seem unusual, but what you’re probably seeing is an adult female lion and her two nearly-grown “cubs” that are getting ready to disperse. Youngsters stick with their parents until they’re a year and a half to two years old. By that time, they can weigh more than 100 lbs. (and are often larger than the mother).

We couldn’t definitively determine whether the lion in the photo is pregnant without a hands-on examination. A cat can eat a lot in one feeding, and its stomach will protrude. She may have just been very full!

A cat can eat a lot in one feeding, and its stomach will protrude.

Sounds like some people I know...

A cat can eat a lot in one feeding, and its stomach will protrude.

Sounds like some people I know...

 

A cat can eat a lot in one feeding, and its stomach will protrude.

Sounds like some people I know...

Often seen at an NCKA potluck!