Large Predators
What to do if you find a Large Predator?
If you have found a large predator (coyotes, fox, bobcat or mountain lion) in need of immediate help, please click here for information.
About Bobcats (Lynx rufus)
- Commonly mistaken for a lynx
- 11-33 lbs.
- Range is on average 15 square miles
- Long-legged for a cat, large paws
- Expert climber, swimmer, and powerful fighter
- Carnivorous; feeds mainly on rabbits and rodents
- Mostly nocturnal and crepuscular (dawn and dusk active)
- Spotted fur, tufted ears, short bobbed tail
- Known to crouch next to water troughs and streams and strike down bats as they fly low to drink
Bobcat Facts
- Bobcats are usually shy, yet they may not run away at the first sight of a human
- Healthy bobcats are usually not an immediate threat to humans; they are only about the size of cocker spaniel
- Growls and snarls are so deep that people sometimes think bobcats are mountain lions
- Bobcats are generally not persecuted as pest species in North America. They may occasionally raid poultry, but bobcat depredations are uncommon
- People have been killing bobcats, hunting and trapping them for pelts, for profit since 1730
- Because they primarily prey on rodents, bobcats are very valuable to the environment; they help to keep the rodent population down
About Coyotes (Canis latrans)
- Native to western North America
- Lives on the urban edge of Southern California communities, desert to mountains
- Mostly crepuscular (dawn and dusk active) and nocturnal; seldom diurnal (day active)
- Intelligent predator
- Opportunistic omnivore (eats both animals and plants), but primarily eats rodents
- Often tracks prey using sense of smell; stalks 20-30 minutes before pouncing
- Territorial pack animal
- Known to mate for life
- 20-30 lbs
- Woof softly, growl, bark, howl, and "sing" in a chorus
- Communicates with 11 different sounds, body language and scent
Coyote Facts
- Adapting to urban areas as natural habitat shrinks, Coyotes can change their breeding habits, diet and social dynamics to survive
- People feed coyotes -> coyotes lose fear of people -> conflict between people and coyotes -> coyotes destroyed
For answers to specific Coyote Coexistence situations, please read our Coyote Coexistence Guidelines
About the Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
- Prefers brushy, woody and scrubby terrain
- Can climb trees 10 feet or less- known as the "tree fox"
- 5-14 lbs.
- Crepuscular (dawn and dusk active) and nocturnal
- Omnivorous (eats rabbits, rodents, insects, fruit, grains and nuts)
- Related to the smaller Island Gray Fox (endemic to the Channel Islands)
- Territories are determined by family groups (parents and juveniles)
- Male fox will tend to juveniles, but not den with them
- Adults have few predators
- Juveniles fall prey to domestic dogs, golden eagles, hawks and owls
Gray Fox Facts
- The gray fox has adapted well to urban environments; it can be found in almost any developed area that affords some degree of vegetation cover
- Urban foxes have a higher incidence of canine distemper than those in the wild due to their proximity to stray dogs; this is one reason urban foxes should not be relocated
About Mountain Lions (Puma concolor)
- Also called cougar, puma, panther and catamount
- 7-8 feet in length
- 150-300 lbs.
- Can see about 6 times better than a human
- Carnivorous, solitary hunters; they spend most of their life alone
- Their main prey in Southern California are mule deer
- Natural habitat is steep, rocky, canyon country
- Vocalizations include growls, hisses, screams and roars
- Individuals develop a preference for one type of prey which limits competition amongst each other
Mountain Lion Facts
- Mountain lions are a protected species throughout the United States
- Mountain lion sightings in the Santa Monica Mountains are very rare due to diminishing numbers in California. Most people have actually seen a bobcat, deer, domestic cat, or coyote when they think they've sighted a mountain lion, however, if you're sure you've seen a mountain lion, report it immediately to the Department of Fish & Game at 916.445.0045
- These cats have greatly diminished in number because they have lost habitats large enough to support them, and because they have been bounty hunted (for sport, for their pelts, or to protect livestock)
- Mountain lions have proven relatively unable to adapt to habitat loss and competition with humans (their chief enemy) for large ungulate prey (deer). They hardly ever harm humans, although they will attack in self-defense or to protect their cubs
- Mountain Lions are territorial and will defend their established ranges, particularly at courtship time
- For tips on what to do if you encounter a mountain lion while hiking, and other information about pumas, go to the Mountain Lion Foundation's website at: www.mountainlion.org