Study Finds Mountain Lions May Be Eating More Than Previously Believed

According to a three-year study in Canada, mountain lions consume greater amounts of prey than scientists originally believed; as much as 365% greater than the data presented from previous studies.

From data collected from more than 1,500 kill sites found while tracking 54 cougars with GPS collars, researchers identified what animals were taken and by which lion. Specifically, scientists found that mountain lions killed more deer, elk, and moose during the summer months by focusing on the juveniles.

Male cougars typically hunt from 250-600 square miles and females from 60-125 square miles. The kill rate estimated suggests that adult cougars are highly effective, killing at rates at the upper end of those for wolves in terms of both frequency and mass.