I know ya’ll think I’m crazy but I love coming upon evidence of the existence of the mountain lion. Thursday Jake found a buried mountain lion kill. Mountain lions do bury their kills, or at least cache them, cover them up, to keep them from other predators and scavengers.
It was so interesting. We were maybe a quarter mile from the summit, still deep in the woods, when Jake got this real funny look on his face. I had him on his long leash- the 18 foot extendo leash, so he took advantage of that to slide down into the ravine- believe me he had to slide, it’s pretty much straight down back there. He cautiously poked around in this big pile of leaves stuffed beneath a fallen tree and unearthed a rib cage, hide still attached. I’m guessing from the size it was a fawn. At least I hope it was a fawn.
Anyway, I made him leave it and then I said, “How do you plan to get back up here?”
Didn’t faze him. He’s got those massive snow shoe feet. He climbed back up without a second thought. I’d never have made it up the side of that ravine, not even on my hands and knees. There are some sections along the trail where the ravine is 30, 40, 50 feet deep. He and I were nearing the end so he only had to manage about 10 feet.
I know it’s totally insane, but I’m thrilled to be in such close proximity to something so dangerous. Look, I figure he’s there whether I’m aware of his presence or not so I may as well pay attention a. to my surroundings and b. to what he’s been up to. I have Jake to protect me. If Tom, Penny and Jaye don’t hear from me for a few days, well, then you can start to worry.
After making a kill, the Mountain Lion will usually drag the kill to a protected area and feed on the shoulder and upper abdomen areas first. If cubs are present, they will feed on soft tissues before continuing to consume other body parts.
After feeding, Mountain Lions separate the internal organs from the main carcass and hide them at a distance before covering both with branches, soil, and leaves. Mountain Lions do not dig holes in order to bury their kills. They will behave with carcasses they scavenge on in the same way they behave with a kill.
Mountain Lions will return to the kill repeatedly until the meat is gone or, especially during the summer, until the meat has spoiled, at which time they will hunt again. As long as the meat is fresh, a Mountain Lion is taken out of the hunting cycle and will not kill. It is unclear how many and how often a Mountain Lion may kill large and small prey. Being opportunistic, Mountain Lions are able to switch their prey based on abundance and availability.
Amazing!
Tomorrow - Me Vida Loca. (In English- I have a conversation with my parents.)
I don’t think you are crazy at all. Like a good detective I like to find ‘stuff’ like that too…….as long as the Mountain lion is not close by. Curiosity I call it. I am crazy like that.
When I lived in CA several people sighted a M.L. near where I loved. I secretly wanted to see it just cause I had never sen one in the wild. Didn’t want to be near it or anything. Wanted house or car between me and it. But wanted to see it nevertheless.
Something primal and wanting to be part of nature or something like that.
Thanks, Roberta. As long as we don’t wind up in a curiosity killed the cat scenario….
Yes, I do think it’s primal. However I’d rather not come face to face with either a grizzly bear or a great white shark.
Just be careful, it is a mountain lion after all. We don’t want our Julia hurt or Jake.
Excellent post. Thanks for the ‘extra’ info, too!
Extra info is always exciting, Anny!
I promise, Amber. I do my best to pay attention to my surroundings. I know cougars can leap a long ways.
I prefer NOT to be around wild animals that may want to EAT ME!!!! (((O))^((O))) I will live my danger seeking life thru your blog!!! Thank you sooooo much Julia! I do miss “Wild Kingdom”! I’m now gonna start calling you Jim!
Yeah, I do look over my shoulder, Ray. And I check the brush on all sides of the trail. But mostly I rely on Jake’s sense of smell. It is sort of Wild Kingdom around here!