Imagine this: you’re out in the woods; it’s dark, and you hear a scream from somewhere deep in the forest. This nightmarish scenario is actually more common than you might think. However, there’s a high chance that this scream isn’t what you think it is.
While it may sound like a child or woman in distress, these screams can often be traced back to one apex predator: the mountain lion. That’s right. These wild cats, also known as cougars, pumas, and many other names, are known for their frightening screams. However, if you were to hear this, you may wonder, why do mountain lions scream?
What Do Mountain Lions Sound Like and Why Do They Scream?
Mountain lions can be found in many different habitats.
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As we’ve just mentioned, the scream of a mountain lion is an eerie sound and can sometimes resemble the sound of a woman or child in distress. However, while it may seem like an intimidating noise, mountain lions aren’t actually screaming to try and scare you. Instead, screaming is a part of their mating ritual.
Mountain lions rarely share territories and live spread out across a large area, so it can be difficult to tell when a female has gone into heat. Screaming allows the female to attract a male, letting him know that she is ready to mate. Occasionally, you may hear a male scream, but it is much less common. When a male cougar screams, it usually has to do with keeping rivals away from territory and potential mates.Â
Mountain Lion Sounds and Meanings
Although the mountain lion’s scream may be its most iconic noise, it’s not the only sound you’ll hear them make. Here are some of the most common mountain lion sounds and their meanings:
Screams
Screams are not the most frequent sounds that a mountain lion will make, as they are predominantly used during the mating period. However, they are still a significant part of their vocalizations.
Unlike other animals, mountain lions don’t have a particular mating season. Instead, each individual female has her own heat cycle, similar to pet cats, allowing them to mate year-round. This means that you can hear a mountain lion scream at any time of the year, but only if there is a female in heat nearby.
Growls and Hisses
If you hear a mountain lion growl or hiss, it usually only means one thing: danger. Mountain lions are ambush predators. This means that they won’t go out of their way to hunt down a meal and prefer to stalk from the bushes. However, if you’re unfortunate enough to stumble too close, especially to a family, you can expect to hear growls and hisses. These mountain lion sounds let you know that you’ve traveled into the wrong area at the wrong time and need to leave carefully to avoid an unpleasant encounter.
Chirps and Whistles
Mountain lions don’t stop at mimicking humans: they can also mimic birds. They’re not trying to, however. While chirps and whistles may seem like they belong in a beak, you can actually hear mountain lions making the sounds as well.
Young mountain lions, known as kittens or cubs, will call out to their mothers with chirps and whistles. Kittens will live with their mother for their first two years of life, but these mountain lion sounds are more common during their earlier months.
How to Identify Mountain Lion Sounds
One sign a mountain lion is near is if you stumble across where they’ve stored a kill.
©Ipatov/Shutterstock.com
The best way to identify mountain lion sounds is to look for other key traits. Often, mountain lions make sounds that resemble those of other animals, so it can be difficult to tell by hearing a sound whether or not it’s a mountain lion.
First, look for tracks. A mountain lion has three divots in its bottom pad, making it look almost like it is shaped like an “M”. They also rarely have claw marks visible in their tracks thanks to their retractable claws. You can also look for droppings and claw marks on trees. You may also stumble across a kill that they have hidden.
What to Do if You Hear a Mountain Lion
Cougars are large cats, and although not usually aggressive, have been involved in attacks on humans as well as causing death.
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If you’ve heard what you think is a mountain lion and you have found other signs, it’s time to be proactive to prevent a bad encounter. Mountain lions are ambush predators, so they’re not looking to put up a fight. As a result, try never to turn your back on them and never crouch down. Instead, wave your arms and speak in a loud, firm voice.
Make sure to always pay close attention when you’re entering an area where mountain lions might be. Although encounters are rare and attacks even rarer, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.
