Do Mountain Lions Live in Rhode Island?

The fabled and elusive mountain lion once roamed throughout the United States. Its silent stalking ability struck fear in the hearts of many settlers. And its stealthiness still worries some outdoor enthusiasts today. However, mountain lions are not as prevalent as many believe. But if that is true, where do they live? Are there mountain lions in Rhode Island?

The answer is both simple and slightly complex, depending on who you ask. So below, we start by looking at what mountain lions are and where they call home. Then we dive into the question of whether or not mountain lions live in the tiny northeastern state. Keep reading to discover all you want to know about mountain lions in Rhode Island.

What Are Mountain Lions?

One of the largest cats in the Americas, mountain lions (Puma concolor), have many common and familiar names. You may know them as panthers, pumas, catamounts, and cougars. They are a member of the Felidae (cat) family. The carnivores primarily feast on bigger game like elk and deer. But they also hunt smaller animals like rabbits, coyotes, raccoons, and mice. Additionally, any domesticated cats, dogs, or livestock left unprotected are vulnerable in mountain lion territory.

The predator ranges from 80-225 pounds and up to 9 feet long. However, there is a distinct size difference between males and females. Adult males average 7 feet long and 140 pounds. But adult females only average between 80 and 90 pounds.

Mountain lions have tawny, beige fur on most of their bodies. However, their stomachs and chests are primarily white and sometimes gray. There is black on their snouts, around their eyes, on their ears, and at the tip of their tails. 

They are solitary animals and spend little time together once they reach adulthood. But during mating season, male and female mountain lions cross paths. Additionally, kittens stay with their mothers until they are old enough to venture out alone. 

The home territory of a mountain lion is large. Females will roam up to 60 square miles, but males go even further. The territory of adult males spans up to 100 square miles.

Where Do Mountain Lions Live?

The coloring of mountain lions allows them to camouflage themselves easily in many environments. They live in mountains, wetlands, forests, and deserts. And they love hiding behind brush, trees, rocks, and on cliffs while stalking their prey. You may see a mountain lion at sea level or when you are hiking around 10,000 feet up on a mountainside.

Mountain lions have the widest distribution of any mammal in the Americas. Historically, they lived throughout North America, up to the Yukon Territory, Central America, and South America as far down as Chile. Though mountain lion populations dropped in numbers dramatically during the 19th and early 20th centuries, they still live throughout most of Central and South America.

But that is not the case for the United States. Now, there are confirmed mountain lion populations in only 15 states. However, a small number of Florida panthers are also trying to make a comeback in the southern state. 

Mountain Lions and Their Historic Range in Rhode Island

It is difficult to ascertain how large the population of mountain lions used to be in Rhode Island. The elusive cat typically shies away from populated areas then, just as it does now. So there were few sightings of the predator in Rhode Island, even historically. Some naturalists in the early to mid-1700s believed the animal was already extinct.

However, that was most definitely not the case. The last known Rhode Island mountain lion was killed in 1847 or 1848, though the exact timeline is unclear. This particular interaction is the stuff of lore. 

A gentleman in West Greenwich killed the mountain lion and subsequently donated it to the Franklin Society of Providence. It remained in that natural history collection until the Franklin Society closed its doors around 1932. It then traveled to the Boston Society of Natural History Museum, where it stayed for over a decade. Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology purchased the specimen in 1946 and has remained there since. 

While this particular mountain lion is the last documented mountain lion in the state, it is unclear whether more remained in subsequent years. However, the presence of mountain lions in the 1900s in Rhode Island is highly unlikely. 

For over two centuries, forests were clearcut to make way for farms and communities. And deer were heavily hunted by settlers. The loss of its habitat and primary food source had a detrimental impact on the mountain lion population. Of course, bounties placed on their heads did not help matters either.

And in 2011, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern Cougar extinct. They finally reached that conclusion after years of exhaustive research. Even so, that has not stopped reports of mountain lion sightings from floating into the Rhode Island Department of Natural Resources.

Mountain Lion Sightings in Rhode Island

Unlike many neighboring states, Rhode Island has few mountain lion sightings. And none of those sightings are confirmed by wildlife officials. Additionally, there is not a single photograph of a mountain lion in the state. The closest confirmed sighting was in Connecticut.

However, state officials don’t deny the validity of some reports. There has just been no shred of physical evidence to confirm a sighting. So, experts believe that the most likely explanation for mountain lion sightings is that a few cats escaped captivity and made their way through the state. 

Wildlife officials are slow to admit that sightings are real. One example occurred in 2011. Multiple witnesses reported seeing a mountain lion. When officials arrived to investigate, they found large tracks too big to belong to the local bobcats. And they found a deer carcass that had gotten dragged and partially buried under leaves. This kill site is a telltale indication of a mountain lion’s presence. However, the verdict was that residents possibly saw a mountain lion. But they stopped short of confirming the sighting.

Some experts refuse to believe mountain lions live in Rhode Island because the state supposedly does not have the ideal habitat. However, all the large cat needs are some form of brush or rocks for cover and food. Both of which are present in the small state. 

So, while the official position is that there has not been a confirmed sighting, many residents strongly disagree. It will likely be an ongoing debate for years to come.