Thinking of Buying?
Thinking of Selling?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Notice what is around you
Tracks, scat, scratches, cached prey, or repeated pet alarms can indicate predator activity.
Wild cats need an exit route
Never corner, follow, surround, or attempt to photograph a mountain lion or bobcat at close range.
Supervision reduces risk
Keep pets close, especially at dawn, dusk, overnight, and near forest edges or known wildlife activity.
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.
Much larger than a bobcat
Adult mountain lions are powerful, long-bodied cats with muscular shoulders and hindquarters.
The clearest field mark
The tail is long, thick, and dark tipped, unlike the short tail of a bobcat.
Mostly uniform tan
Adults are generally unspotted and tan-brown, with lighter undersides and darker ear backs and tail tip.
Spots fade with age
Young mountain lions are spotted, but adults are not.
Built for powerful jumps
NPS reports that mountain lions can leap as high as 18 feet vertically and about 40 feet horizontally.
Round prints without obvious claw marks
Cat claws are usually retracted when walking, though track interpretation requires care.
Bobcats are smaller, short-tailed, and often patterned.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife describes bobcats as secretive and seldom seen.
The defining feature
The bobcat's tail is short, with a black tip and markings above and white underneath.
Pattern varies
Bobcats can show spots, bars, or mottling, with color varying from grayish to reddish brown.
Often visible but not always dramatic
Bobcats may have small ear tufts and facial ruffs.
Far smaller than a mountain lion
Bobcats are compact, medium-sized cats rather than large-bodied predators.
Tail pattern helps
CPW notes that lynx have a solid black tail tip, while bobcat tails are patterned above and white underneath.
Smaller cat prints
Bobcat tracks are round and generally lack obvious claw marks, but size and substrate can mislead.
Tail length is the fastest visual clue.
Distance, lighting, snow, vegetation, and camera angle can make identification difficult.
Long tail
A mountain lion's tail is long and thick, often about one-third of total body length.
Short tail
A bobcat's tail is short and appears “bobbed.”
Uniform adult coat
Adult lions are generally unspotted and tan.
Patterned coat
Bobcats commonly show spots, bars, or mottling.
Large predator
Mountain lions can be several times heavier than bobcats.
Compact wild cat
Bobcats are closer in scale to a medium or large dog than a mountain lion.
Wild cats follow prey, territory, reproduction, and weather.
There is no single “sighting season,” and activity can occur year-round.
Young animals and prey movement
Adult cats may be raising kittens, and deer and other prey shift with new vegetation.
Travel and hunting
Long daylight does not prevent low-light or nighttime activity near forest cover and water.
Following seasonal prey
Mountain lion movement can track deer and elk as those herds shift range.
Tracks become easier to notice
Snow can reveal movement even when the animal itself remains unseen.
Do not approach young cats
A female may be nearby even when kittens appear alone.
Solitary movement
Mountain lions are generally solitary, while bobcats also tend to travel alone outside breeding and family periods.
Awareness matters more than fear.
The chance of a mountain lion attack is low, but preparation matters.
Stay together
Keep children close and avoid letting anyone trail far behind.
Pick up small children during an encounter
Do not allow children to run toward or away from a wild cat.
Use a leash where allowed
Loose dogs may chase wildlife or lead a predator back toward people.
Leave cached prey alone
A mountain lion may remain nearby or return to feed.
Running can trigger pursuit
Face the lion, stand upright, and back away slowly.
Contact a ranger or CPW
Report aggressive behavior, attacks, or repeated close encounters.
Face the lion, appear larger, and do not run.
Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado Parks and Wildlife provide consistent encounter guidance.
Maintain visual awareness
Do not turn your back or crouch down.
Make yourself look larger
Raise your arms, open a jacket, and keep your group together.
Convince the lion you are not prey
Speak loudly, shout, and wave your arms if the animal behaves aggressively.
Create distance slowly
Allow the lion an escape route and avoid sudden movement.
Escalate only if the lion advances
NPS advises throwing objects and acting aggressively if the lion behaves aggressively.
Do not play dead
If attacked, fight back using any available object.
Reducing easy prey and attractants lowers risk.
Predator activity often follows prey availability and cover.
Especially overnight
Do not leave small pets unattended outdoors near forest edges, brush, or low-light periods.
Check yards before opening doors
Look outside before releasing pets, particularly at dawn, dusk, or night.
Reduce hiding places near structures
Trim dense vegetation and manage brush where appropriate.
Prey attractants can attract predators
Feeding deer or other wildlife can increase predator activity near homes.
Use secure enclosures
Follow current CPW recommendations for pens, lighting, guardian practices, and carcass management.
Use wildlife professionals
Contact CPW for repeated close approaches, predation near homes, or aggressive behavior.
Bobcats are secretive and usually avoid people.
Most sightings are brief, and the animal typically leaves when given space.
Keep bobcats wild
Never offer food or intentionally attract a bobcat for viewing.
Small pets need protection
Bring pets inside and do not allow them to chase a bobcat.
Control rodents and food sources
Bird seed, pet food, and unsecured feed can attract smaller animals that draw predators.
Do not approach kittens
A mother may be nearby and can return after people leave.
Camera angle can mislead
A distant bobcat may appear larger than it is, especially without scale.
Contact authorities when needed
Report an injured, trapped, unusually aggressive, or neurologically impaired animal.
Common questions about mountain lions and bobcats.
Always follow current park and wildlife-agency guidance.
Do mountain lions live in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Yes. NPS identifies them as the park's largest current predators.
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.
Should I run from a mountain lion?
No. Face the lion, stand tall, make yourself look larger, and back away slowly.
Are bobcats dangerous to people?
Bobcats usually avoid people, but they remain wild animals and should never be approached.
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.
What should I do if a mountain lion attacks?
Fight back. Do not play dead.
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.
Explore the Wildlife Guide.
Move through the remaining chapters or return to the volume homepage.
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