Mountain Lion
The mountain lion, also known as panther, puma, or cougar, is a large, powerfully built cat, with pale brown to reddish brown fur over the upper part of its body and dull white fur covering its underparts; black mountain lions have never existed in North America. Its claws are long, sharp and can be retracted. Its ears and long tail are tipped with dusky black fur. Its head is relatively small and rounded; its chin, lips and lower cheeks are covered with whitish fur.
While it is possible that occasional sightings of free-ranging mountain lions may occur in Arkansas there is no evidence that there has been a reproducing population of this species in the state since the early 1900s. Individual mountain lions are most likely escaped or released pets though it is possible, but unlikely, that individuals could disperse to Arkansas from their nearest existing population in southern Texas.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is not currently asking the public to report mountain lion sightings. If you have lost livestock to what you believe is a mountain lion and have fresh evidence, such as a carcass or tracks, please contact the nearest Commission regional office for assistance in determining what animal is responsible for the incident and the best course of action to prevent future problems.
Mountain lions range from 60 inches long from nose to tip of tail with 21 inch tails to nearly nine feet, of which three feet are tail. Body weights range from 80 pounds to nearly 225 pounds. Males are larger than females.
The mountain lion or cougar lives in a variety of habitats but usually tends to avoid the vicinity of man. It occurs in rough, rocky, wooded uplands, large tracts of bottomland forest and swamps and remote mountainous regions.
There is apparently no regular breeding season, and females may come into heat at various times of the year. Females do not breed until they are at least two or three years old and then mate only every two or three years thereafter. Adults are tolerant of each other only during the brief breeding period, and males leave females alone shortly after mating to care for themselves and their offspring.
The den is usually situated under an overhanging ledge, in a natural rock crevice or in a dense thicket, but seldom is in a cave. When about 2-3 months old, lion kittens are weaned and begin accompanying the mother on night hunting trips. They weigh about 45 pounds at the age of eight months and may remain with their mother for over a year.