To Report a Mountain Lion,
Contact your Local Wildlife Biologist.

Mountain lions are classified as a nongame species.

Mountain lions are native to Texas and classified as a nongame species. The largest breeding population of mountain lions in Texas occurs in the Trans Pecos region where there are large undeveloped tracts of land. Smaller populations of mountain lions still inhabit portions of the South Texas Plains, the Balcones Escarpment and rugged canyonlands in the Panhandle of Texas. Contemporary records of mountain lions in other portions of the state are infrequent and probably represent dispersing individuals from main breeding populations.

Due to its wide range, it has many names including catamount, mountain lion, painter, panther and puma. The cougar is the second-largest cat in the New World after the jaguar. Secretive and largely solitary by nature, the cougar is properly considered both nocturnal and crepuscular, although daytime sightings do occur.

In the Trans-Pecos, the home range of mountain lions range from 50,000 to 80,000 acres. Lions are reclusive by nature. You should consider yourself fortunate if you ever get the opportunity to see one of these big cats.

Because lions are secretive by nature it is rare to see a mountain lion; however, as we encroach upon their habitat conflict is bound to occur. Nonetheless, it is wise to know what to do if you ever find yourself confronting a mountain lion.

Mountain Lion Encounters

Update Mountain Lion To High Sierra

Mountain Lion Sightings Keep Whiting Ranch Park Closed - Lake Forest, CA - The Whiting Ranch Wilderness remains off-limits for nearly a month after multiple mountain lion sightings in the area. “The mountain lion has not been aggressive toward humans or animals. However, please be mindful when walking in the area,” Benicia police tweeted. We will continue to update this story.

If you have a verifiable sighting or information pertaining to a kill of a mountain lion, please contact the closest Wildlife Division office or call Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters at 1 (800) 792-1112.

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion:

• Pick up all children off the ground immediately.
• Do NOT approach the lion
• Stay calm. Talk calmly and move slowly.
• Face the lion and remain in an upright position.
• Do not turn your back on the lion. Back away slowly.
• Do NOT run.
• Do all you can to enlarge your image. Do NOT crouch down or try to hide
• If the lion is aggressive, throw rocks, sticks, or anything you can get your hands on.
• If the lion attacks, fight back. Fighting back can drive off lions.

Mountain Lion Confirmations in Texas

Update Mountain Lion To Mojave

Map of mountain lion confirmations for January 2009 to January 2019.

Update Mountain Lion To Big Sur

Species Information