01 · STAY ALERT
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Tracks, scat, scratches, cached prey, or repeated pet alarms can indicate predator activity.
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Estes Park Living Library · Wildlife Guide · Chapter 08
Mountain Lions & Bobcats
A fact-based guide to Colorado's native wild cats in and around Estes Park, including identification, habitat, seasonal behavior, tracks, pets, trail safety, mountain lion encounters, bobcat awareness, and official wildlife guidance.
Overview
Mountain lions and bobcats are native predators, but they are very different animals.
Mountain lions are the largest predators currently living in Rocky Mountain National Park. They are also known as cougars, pumas, panthers, and catamounts. Bobcats are much smaller, secretive wild cats found across Colorado and are seldom seen even where they are present.
Both species usually avoid people. Mountain lions are solitary, wide-ranging hunters whose territories and seasonal movement may follow deer and elk. Bobcats use smaller areas and prey primarily on rabbits, rodents, birds, and other small animals. Sightings are never guaranteed, and tracks or camera images should be interpreted cautiously.
Wildlife is one of the greatest treasures of Estes Park. Observe from a safe distance, respect natural behavior, and help preserve these remarkable animals for future generations.
Wild Cats at a Glance
Quick-reference facts from official wildlife sources.
Size, tracks, behavior, and habitat use vary by individual, age, sex, season, and terrain.
- Mountain Lion
- Puma concolor, also called cougar, puma, panther, catamount, or lion.
- Bobcat
- Lynx rufus, a smaller native wild cat with a short tail.
- Mountain Lion Size
- Rocky Mountain National Park states that males can reach about 200 pounds and eight feet in length, including the tail.
- Bobcat Identification
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife notes that bobcats have a short tail that is white underneath with a black tip and dark markings on top.
- Mountain Lion Tail
- Long and heavy, often measuring about one-third of total body length.
- Activity
- Both species can be active at any time, though low-light periods are common activity times.
- Primary Prey
- Mountain lions often prey on deer; bobcats commonly take rabbits, rodents, birds, and other smaller animals.
- Viewing Rule
- Feeding or harassing wildlife is illegal in national parks.
Wildlife Wisdom
Seeing a wild cat is rare. Creating distance is always the right response.
Do not follow tracks, approach a carcass, crowd an animal, or remain near kittens.
02 · DO NOT APPROACH
Wild cats need an exit route
Never corner, follow, surround, or attempt to photograph a mountain lion or bobcat at close range.
03 · PROTECT PETS
Supervision reduces risk
Keep pets close, especially at dawn, dusk, overnight, and near forest edges or known wildlife activity.
Mountain Lion Identification
Mountain lions are large, long-tailed, and uniformly colored.
Rocky Mountain National Park describes mountain lions as tan-brown cats with a whitish throat, belly, and inner legs.
01 · BODY SIZE
Much larger than a bobcat
Adult mountain lions are powerful, long-bodied cats with muscular shoulders and hindquarters.
02 · LONG TAIL
The clearest field mark
The tail is long, thick, and dark tipped, unlike the short tail of a bobcat.
03 · COLOR
Mostly uniform tan
Adults are generally unspotted and tan-brown, with lighter undersides and darker ear backs and tail tip.
04 · KITTENS
Spots fade with age
Young mountain lions are spotted, but adults are not.
05 · MOVEMENT
Built for powerful jumps
NPS reports that mountain lions can leap as high as 18 feet vertically and about 40 feet horizontally.
06 · TRACKS
Round prints without obvious claw marks
Cat claws are usually retracted when walking, though track interpretation requires care.
Bobcat Identification
Bobcats are smaller, short-tailed, and often patterned.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife describes bobcats as secretive and seldom seen.
01 · SHORT TAIL
The defining feature
The bobcat's tail is short, with a black tip and markings above and white underneath.
02 · SPOTTED COAT
Pattern varies
Bobcats can show spots, bars, or mottling, with color varying from grayish to reddish brown.
03 · EAR TUFTS
Often visible but not always dramatic
Bobcats may have small ear tufts and facial ruffs.
04 · BODY SIZE
Far smaller than a mountain lion
Bobcats are compact, medium-sized cats rather than large-bodied predators.
05 · LYNX CONFUSION
Tail pattern helps
CPW notes that lynx have a solid black tail tip, while bobcat tails are patterned above and white underneath.
06 · TRACKS
Smaller cat prints
Bobcat tracks are round and generally lack obvious claw marks, but size and substrate can mislead.
Mountain Lion or Bobcat?
Tail length is the fastest visual clue.
Distance, lighting, snow, vegetation, and camera angle can make identification difficult.
MOUNTAIN LION
Long tail
A mountain lion's tail is long and thick, often about one-third of total body length.
BOBCAT
Short tail
A bobcat's tail is short and appears “bobbed.”
MOUNTAIN LION
Uniform adult coat
Adult lions are generally unspotted and tan.
BOBCAT
Patterned coat
Bobcats commonly show spots, bars, or mottling.
MOUNTAIN LION
Large predator
Mountain lions can be several times heavier than bobcats.
BOBCAT
Compact wild cat
Bobcats are closer in scale to a medium or large dog than a mountain lion.
Seasonal Behavior
Wild cats follow prey, territory, reproduction, and weather.
There is no single “sighting season,” and activity can occur year-round.
SPRING
Young animals and prey movement
Adult cats may be raising kittens, and deer and other prey shift with new vegetation.
SUMMER
Travel and hunting
Long daylight does not prevent low-light or nighttime activity near forest cover and water.
FALL
Following seasonal prey
Mountain lion movement can track deer and elk as those herds shift range.
WINTER
Tracks become easier to notice
Snow can reveal movement even when the animal itself remains unseen.
KITTENS
Do not approach young cats
A female may be nearby even when kittens appear alone.
YEAR-ROUND
Solitary movement
Mountain lions are generally solitary, while bobcats also tend to travel alone outside breeding and family periods.
Hiking and Trail Safety
Awareness matters more than fear.
The chance of a mountain lion attack is low, but preparation matters.
01 · HIKE IN GROUPS
Stay together
Keep children close and avoid letting anyone trail far behind.
02 · KEEP CHILDREN NEAR
Pick up small children during an encounter
Do not allow children to run toward or away from a wild cat.
03 · CONTROL DOGS
Use a leash where allowed
Loose dogs may chase wildlife or lead a predator back toward people.
04 · AVOID CARCASSES
Leave cached prey alone
A mountain lion may remain nearby or return to feed.
05 · DO NOT RUN
Running can trigger pursuit
Face the lion, stand upright, and back away slowly.
06 · REPORT INCIDENTS
Contact a ranger or CPW
Report aggressive behavior, attacks, or repeated close encounters.
If You Encounter a Mountain Lion
Face the lion, appear larger, and do not run.
Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado Parks and Wildlife provide consistent encounter guidance.
01 · FACE IT
Maintain visual awareness
Do not turn your back or crouch down.
02 · STAND TALL
Make yourself look larger
Raise your arms, open a jacket, and keep your group together.
03 · USE A FIRM VOICE
Convince the lion you are not prey
Speak loudly, shout, and wave your arms if the animal behaves aggressively.
04 · BACK AWAY
Create distance slowly
Allow the lion an escape route and avoid sudden movement.
05 · THROW OBJECTS IF NEEDED
Escalate only if the lion advances
NPS advises throwing objects and acting aggressively if the lion behaves aggressively.
06 · FIGHT BACK
Do not play dead
If attacked, fight back using any available object.
Pets, Livestock, and Homes
Reducing easy prey and attractants lowers risk.
Predator activity often follows prey availability and cover.
01 · BRING PETS INSIDE
Especially overnight
Do not leave small pets unattended outdoors near forest edges, brush, or low-light periods.
02 · USE LIGHTING
Check yards before opening doors
Look outside before releasing pets, particularly at dawn, dusk, or night.
03 · REMOVE COVER
Reduce hiding places near structures
Trim dense vegetation and manage brush where appropriate.
04 · DO NOT FEED DEER
Prey attractants can attract predators
Feeding deer or other wildlife can increase predator activity near homes.
05 · PROTECT LIVESTOCK
Use secure enclosures
Follow current CPW recommendations for pens, lighting, guardian practices, and carcass management.
06 · REPORT REPEATED BEHAVIOR
Use wildlife professionals
Contact CPW for repeated close approaches, predation near homes, or aggressive behavior.
Bobcats Around Neighborhoods
Bobcats are secretive and usually avoid people.
Most sightings are brief, and the animal typically leaves when given space.
01 · DO NOT FEED
Keep bobcats wild
Never offer food or intentionally attract a bobcat for viewing.
02 · SUPERVISE PETS
Small pets need protection
Bring pets inside and do not allow them to chase a bobcat.
03 · REMOVE PREY ATTRACTANTS
Control rodents and food sources
Bird seed, pet food, and unsecured feed can attract smaller animals that draw predators.
04 · KEEP DISTANCE
Do not approach kittens
A mother may be nearby and can return after people leave.
05 · USE PHOTOS CAREFULLY
Camera angle can mislead
A distant bobcat may appear larger than it is, especially without scale.
06 · REPORT ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR
Contact authorities when needed
Report an injured, trapped, unusually aggressive, or neurologically impaired animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about mountain lions and bobcats.
Always follow current park and wildlife-agency guidance.
FAQ 01
Do mountain lions live in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Yes. NPS identifies them as the park's largest current predators.
FAQ 02
How can I tell a mountain lion from a bobcat?
Mountain lions are much larger and have long tails. Bobcats are smaller and have short tails.
FAQ 03
Should I run from a mountain lion?
No. Face the lion, stand tall, make yourself look larger, and back away slowly.
FAQ 04
Are bobcats dangerous to people?
Bobcats usually avoid people, but they remain wild animals and should never be approached.
FAQ 05
What should I do if I find a deer carcass?
Leave the area. A mountain lion may have cached the prey and could remain nearby.
FAQ 06
What should I do if a mountain lion attacks?
Fight back. Do not play dead.
Conservation Context
Native predators help maintain functioning ecosystems.
Mountain lions are solitary, low-density, wide-ranging carnivores that play an important role in Colorado ecosystems. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages lions through population plans, research, mortality monitoring, habitat information, and conflict response.
Bobcats are also widely distributed native predators. CPW reports no evidence that statewide mountain lion or bobcat populations are decreasing under current sustainable management. Responsible pet care, attractant control, and calm encounter behavior reduce unnecessary conflict.
Continue Exploring
Explore the Wildlife Guide.
Move through the remaining chapters or return to the volume homepage.
Official Sources
References used for this chapter
Check current wildlife alerts and agency guidance before responding to an encounter.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Living with Mountain Lions
Official encounter, pet, home, and conflict-prevention guidance.
View mountain lion guidanceColorado Parks and Wildlife: Mountain Lion
Official species information and management context.
View species informationRocky Mountain National Park: Mountain Lions
Official identification, size, movement, territory, and ecological information.
View park informationRocky Mountain National Park: High Country Hazards
Official mountain lion encounter guidance, including facing the lion, appearing larger, and fighting back if attacked.
View encounter guidanceColorado Parks and Wildlife: Bobcat
Official bobcat identification and tail characteristics.
View bobcat informationColorado Parks and Wildlife: Mountain Lion Management
Official population and conservation planning information.
View management informationColorado Parks and Wildlife: Population Statistics
Official information stating that statewide lion and bobcat populations are not showing evidence of decline under current management.
View population informationRocky Mountain National Park: Wildlife Safety
Official guidance on distance, habituation, photography, and natural wildlife behavior.
View wildlife safety
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