key point
- There’s a camouflaged cougar in the photo, do you see that?
- This viral image shows the top of an elk’s back.
- Cougars are good at camouflage.
This photo was difficult to take. Are you up for the challenge? Can you spot the camouflaged cougar in this viral photo?
Nothing irritates people more than a “hidden” photo. Everyone likes to think that they can easily spot things that others seem to not see.
This viral image shows the top of an elk’s back. Possibly feeding, this elk is head-down, out of frame. Behind the elk, we saw the typical New Mexico flagstones and flakes against juniper bushes and small trees.
The vegetation is very dense and the elk seem to be alone in nature. but?
Why can’t you see a mountain lion in disguise?
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Give yourself a few minutes to browse through the pictures.where we promise real Is a. This isn’t one of those tasks designed to waste your time, like going to the garage to find a “left hand shovel” or something.
The cougar is right there. Hidden from normal view. You’ve definitely seen it, even if your brain hasn’t recognized it as a big cat.
This photo illustrates the fact that the cougar is one of North America’s top predators and can walk right in front of you without you even noticing. It’s a scary realization, especially if you’re someone who hikes a lot or likes to visit national parks.
The photo takes on a whole new mood when you spot it.
Mountain Lions and Elk: What You Should Know
At first glance, you might be surprised by the image of elk, as they are notoriously hard to spot! Elk once ranged across much of upper North America, but now most of their population lives along the Rocky Mountains.
This is also where cougars are most crowded, although they have a wider distribution than elk. The two species share the same environment, partly because mountain lions feed on elk.
How effectively do these big cats stalk and scare elk? They are very well camouflaged. They also happen to be very smart.
© Kwadrat/Shutterstock.com
The New Mexico setting is absolutely the perfect place for an adult cougar to hide in plain sight. The color of the rocks matches the lion’s fur, and even the sunlit highlights of the rocks match the tone of the lion’s white face.
Elk can’t see all colors and it can be difficult to spot a mountain lion roosting in the shadows.
The only reason someone at the Rio Mora Wildlife Refuge noticed the cat in the first place was because the following tracking camera photo caught the cat showing up and following the elk.
Are cougars usually good at camouflage?
Big cats are good at camouflage. They can often hide when approached on the ground or on foot. Sometimes hunters get very close to a cougar, only to be startled by one that leaps away. Most of the time, cougars will flee when they encounter humans, and cougar attacks are very rare. They may only attack when threatened.
Where do mountain lions live?
Cougars once dominated the entire United States, from coast to coast, however, this has changed over time. They are now found primarily in 14 different western states, with a small endangered population still living in Florida. There are also 5 small populations that recovered some numbers in the 1980s and 1990s, but their future is still unclear.
How Long Do Cougars Live?
In the wild, the lifespan of a cougar ranges from 8 to 13 years. Young people typically stay with their mothers for up to 26 months before moving on. However, it is more common for them to leave their mothers around 15 months of age. In the wild, mountain lions have a limited lifespan, but in captivity they can live up to 21 years.
This is where mountain lions in disguise hide
You can see the cougar’s face directly to the left of the short tree on the right side of the frame. Just above the large boulder on the right behind the elk.
next
- Are mountain lions endangered?
- Are mountain lions nocturnal? Where do cougars sleep?
- 11 Incredible Mountain Lion Facts
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
