Zion Wildlife

Mountain Lion

Puma concolor

Zion's top predator lives throughout the park, and almost no one ever sees it. Solitary, nocturnal, and secretive, the mountain lion is the canyon's ghost - far more likely to watch you than to be watched.

The Park's Ghost Cat

Mountain lions - also called cougars or pumas - range across all of Zion, but they are masters of avoiding people. They hunt mostly at night, cover huge territories, and melt into the backcountry by day. Even longtime rangers may go years between sightings. Their presence is a sign of a healthy ecosystem: where there are deer, there are lions.

Where They Roam

Lions follow their primary prey, the mule deer, which means they turn up anywhere deer do - from the high plateaus to the canyon floor. You're far more likely to find evidence than the animal itself: tracks in soft sand, a cached kill, or scat along a backcountry trail. Dawn and dusk in quiet, less-traveled areas offer the only real (and still very slim) chance of a glimpse.

If You Encounter One

Encounters are extremely rare, and attacks rarer still - but it's worth knowing the basics. If you meet a mountain lion, do not run - running can trigger a chase response. Make yourself look large, pick up small children, keep eye contact, speak firmly, and back away slowly, giving it every chance to leave.

Gear We Recommend

Gear for Wildlife Watching

Binoculars, field guides, and essentials for spotting and identifying Zion wildlife. Best of Zion earns from qualifying Amazon purchases, at no extra cost to you.