Holly/Hazel:

Found orphaned in the Santa Cruz mountains within a couple weeks of each other at the end of 2022. Both cubs were brought to Oakland Zoo by California Department of Fish and Wildlife in very poor condition – Hazel even required a blood transfusion. Both cubs recovered and were introduced to each other not too long after. Bonded as a pair, Holly and Hazel arrived in May of 2023.

Description

Mtn. Lion (Puma Concolor) The 2nd largest felid in North America with the largest range of carnivores in the Western Hemisphere. Adult females can weigh 50 -110 lbs; males 85 – 170 lbs. They are solitary cats and are most active at dusk and dawn (Crepuscular activity). They are obligate carnivores – meaning they only eat other animals; they have large canine teeth and retractable claws which allow them to climb trees and to capture prey.

What do they eat?

They prefer to eat large mammals like deer, elk, bighorn sheep; opportunistically will eat rodents, smaller carnivores and even birds.

How long do they live?

8-10 years in the wild; 16-20 years in captivity.

How many are born at a time?

Between 1-6; typically 2-3.

Where can they be found?

Canandian Rockies to Southern Chile; they inhabit diverse habitat types across California including temperate redwood forest, coniferous / deciduous forest, coastal chaparral, foothills and mountains. They can be found wherever native or introduced ungulates such as mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, or feral hogs are present.

Interesting Facts

The Mountain Lion is known by over 40 different names including Puma, Cougar, Panther, Catamount, Screamer. They are not considered a “Big Cat” because of their inability to roar.