However, they have not been able to confirm any of these sightings. Their home ranges vary in size depending on the location. Some even claim to have spotted black panthers in the Lowcountry swamps. Still 3 coon hunters treed and killed one a few years ago. Someone will ask why I didn't take a picture to confirm my sighting and the answer is that it all happened so fast -- thirty seconds and the cat vamoosed. According to Perry, the countys lack of pet mountain lions doesnt necessarily discount the sightings, because mountain lions can travel very long distances. He said it was highly unlikely, but possible that some people are actually seeing a western mountain lion or Florida panther thats managed to dodge traffic and travel to South Carolina. Eerie nighttime photos from trail cameras and tales of mountain lions attacking hikers flood social media and news channels. Long thought to be extinct, the Carolina version of the big Eastern cougar is alive and very well, thank you. They can weigh anywhere from 1025 pounds. There would be road killed cougar carcasses showing up at least once a year if we had an established population,he said. But the population decreased in the 1900s as wild lands were cleared for agriculture and game hunting increased. Location: down in a hole. There is no way that this could remain a secret from the general population, said Butfiloski. Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. talk to a vet online for advice >. However, an individual animal is occasionally observed, or killed, as a result of someone releasing a "pet" cougar that got to be too much for them to handle. Over the span of my career in the Charleston County School Districts Human Resources Division, I have been a part of numerous di Read moreOpEd: Increased educator compensation key to teacher retention, What do you think of the current political issue of electing school principals? The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. While they are relatively common in the state, it is actually quite difficult to spot them. SCDNR said the prints were from a dog, but Im not sure I really agree with them.. Andrew Moore of theGreenville Journalpens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Some actually believe mountain lion sightings in South Carolina can be attributed to the Florida panther, the only surviving subspecies of eastern cougar. The mountain lion has a long tail (2.5-3 feet), while the bobcat has a short tail (less than 10 inches). Whether you're interested in becoming a Lion or Leo, or requesting service from a club, this is the place to do it. Many ridges, creeks, swamps and mountains were long ago named for panthers or the colloquial term "painters," both common names in this part of the country for the cougar. Many wildlife authorities and experts, however, remain skeptical of mountain lion sightings across the Southeast. However, without females in the area, males are unlikely to stay for long. All Rights Reserved. Throw objects and yell. We can thank the Spanish for the mean wild pigs found here. As a territorial species, these cats do not live close to each other. See answer (1) Copy. "In South Carolina and in the wildlife community, there is no debate" about the presence of cougars in the east, Lucas said. Thats when he started comparing animal calls online. Now to complicate matters further, there are some cougars/pumas living in Florida that are considered to be of the native Eastern variety. One thing scientists agree on and have no confusion about is that none of these large cats is or ever has been black in color. Theres also the matter of the absolute lack of any big cats being hit and killed by vehicles on our roads. In 2007, Terrance Fletcher, a technician with the U.S. Forest Service, claimed he was chased into the Chattooga River by a 7-foot-long panther with jet black fur. If you have any questions regarding the accuracy of this data, please contact us at help@rockethomes.com. Im not the only person hearing and seeing these cats, said Koehler. Hepper.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Federal Fish and Wildlife experts studied the matter of the Eastern cougar and declared it to be extinct -- at least in this region it is gone, they say. A mountain lion is a wild cat ranging from two to three feet tall, with females weighing up to 120lbs and males up to 200lbs, making it the fourth largest cat in the world. "There are no known cougars in North Carolina," Jodie Owens of the N.C. Wildlife Resources . stands 3,560 feet tall. Then, rather than establish a territory like they would in the West where they are far more numerous, they adopt "a vagabond strategy and roam an area of hundreds of square miles, Chastain said. . I just assumed they were common around the Carolinas. More recent mountain lion reports stem from the Upstate. It was not a matter of fight or flight with him; rather, he had no interest in being gawked at in daylight hours by a motorist. While there may be a few stray mountain lions wandering around the state, there is not currently an established population. Its happening all across the state.. However, they werent able to provide evidence of the encounter. There isn't any evidence of mountain lions currently living in North Carolina. 6. But then his neighbors dogs started barking. This species is also known to hunt and potentially kill domesticated felines. Few large animals have generated more lore throughout North Carolina than the cougar. The eastern cougar, however, was declared extinct in 2011. Have you spotted any of the above in an out-of-place spot in the Palmetto State! The few precious seconds that we locked eyes thirty feet from each other will remain one of my cherished memories. More:Wandering South Carolina elk 'rules the roost' at new home in Charles Towne Landing. At the time of European settlement it occupied a wide range of habitats from Canada well into parts of South America, and was found throughout the continental United States. But Chastain believes theyre only different from the Western cougars in that theyre smaller, which is a natural phenomenon among animal species in warmer climates. Adults are largely nocturnal, solitary and territorial. Furman biology professor and cougar expert Travis Perry says it's possible for mountain lions to travel great distances, but it's not very likely they've traveled to our state. Young cougars are marked with dark spots. Known For: Corbin Mountain is part of the Saluda Mountains, which are part of the greater Blue Ridge Mountains that traverse South Carolina. Adult females are smaller, averaging 80-90 pounds. Adult males may be more than 8 feet long (from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail), and can weigh between 130 and 150 pounds. Habitat. Dominant toms may inhabit a 100-square-mile area, and any other males, including cubs that are just born, are competing against the alpha, he said. Even more unlikely is for the jaguar to make it that far to have the rare gene that causes it to be solid black,said Perry. But peoplecould also be mistaking black panthers for pet mountain lions escaped from captivity, according to Perry. They are most active around dawn and dusk, though they will technically come out at any time. Input your search keywords and press Enter. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Panther cubs are adorableuntil they grow large enough to eat their owners and become difficult to handle. Where have there been recent mountain lion reports in the Upstate? It was a female mountain lion.. Robert Downing, a former Clemson-based biologist for the U.S. Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. My fears were that folks would say that dusk had played tricks on my eyes, that somebody's big Tom was on the prowl. Everyone knows to watch out for alligators and sharks along the coast and for the occasional bear in the mountain, but here are five possibly out-of-place creatures to keep a keen eye out for. "Many of these deaths have occurred in British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. It was big and muscular. In fact, the wildlife agency has yet to receive a single piece of credible evidence even supporting the existence of mountain lions in South Carolina. There has never been a record or credible account of a black cougar in Eastern North America, Chastain said. Im telling neighbors to be more aware of their surroundings when theyre walking their dogs around here.. In South Carolina and in the wildlife community, there is no debate about the presence of cougars in the east, Lucas said. In South Carolina, bobcats typically inhabit areas of dense, thick brush such as bottomland forests in the coastal plain. South Carolina is no stranger to dangerous wildlife. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. They are just incredibly elusive." Although so many people have claimed to have seen the wild cat, N.C. Wildlife Resources officials told the Charlotte Observer that the Eastern Cougars are currently only found in parts of Florida. But some residents, including Koehler, are already taking precautions. But for one to make it from the Southwest deserts to the mid-Atlantic mountains, Piedmont, or coastal areas is unlikely. Their bobbed tail is one of their most distinguishing features. Bobcats will eat a wide range of different foods. Contact Ron Barnett at rbarnett@gannett.com. In a fight between mountain lion vs bobcat, the mountain lion would win. The range of a Mountain Lion may cover 25 to 785 square miles. As we previously stated, these cats are not currently established in the state. In 2017, the SCDNR issued a statement about the increasing incidence of South Carolina automobile accidents involving bears. Those thoughts contented me for a few miles until some reflection revealed what should have been obvious when I first set eyes on the beast -- a Bobcat can't have a long, thick tail. While these cats are too small to threaten most people, they can sometimes hunt small livestockchickens are the most common victims. What IS Out There? Koehler, for one, remains convinced at least one mountain lion inhabits these parts. The story cites lack of hard evidence for the . Well-known naturalist Dennis Chastain of Pickens says there's no doubt that there are cougars (pumas/mountain lions) in the woods and wild places of South Carolina. Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. What are potassium channel activators used for? When this species eats poisoned rats, they become poisoned as well and will eventually die. Pick up small children or dogs as they are more likely to run and are more vulnerable. But I think many people are mistaking coyotes, bobcats, and other animals for mountain lions.. Currently, there has not been a verified sighting in over 100 years. Anyway, two years ago in August I was driving down on the highway south of Ashboro & think I seen [sic] a dead one on the side of the road by mile marker 51.Long tail, all black but I couldn't see the head. But they aren't true . Today there are no wild reproducing populations of cougars in South Carolina. I think many people just get excited when trail cameras or videos reveal an animal in the woods.. Furman biology professor and cougar expert Travis Perry says its possible for mountain lions to travel great distances, but its not very likely theyve traveled to our state. Therefore, they are not exactly something we would count as big cats.. We Inform. Complete index of all the wonderful cat breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your furry friend is a crucial decision, We love our cats, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Understanding cat behavior can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, Complete index of all the wonderful dog breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your four legged friend is a crucial decision, We love our dogs, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Training your dog can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, The most complete list of dog food recalls, The most complete list of cat food recalls. Cougars, also known as mountain lions, were once common here and they have left a legacy of place names throughout the state indeed, the entire Southeast. They are found in many different habitats including swamps, mountainous regions, and forests. South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States 803-256-0670 mail@scwf.org South Carolina has two populations of black bears. Here in southern Utah, lions have been known to occupy home ranges as large as 513 square miles. Says Perry, Except for a very small population in Florida, there are no known groups [of mountain lions] in the Southeast, or east of the Mississippi in all truthfulness. Read on to learn exactly what people might be spying in the woods. More recently, a Piedmont resident captured a trail camera photo of what many believed to be a black panther. Its a chick magnet, its a cool thing, Chastain said. And earlier this year, South Carolina passed a new law, effective next year, that makes it illegal to own a large wild cat, non-native bear or great ape.. More recent mountain lion reports stem from the Upstate. The dogs barked for several minutes, so I thought they had maybe treed some sort of animal,he said. Some sightings are likely animals that ended up in our state through the exotic animal trade. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. They did at one point, but the last one was spotted in the early 1900s. Mountain lions typically keep their distance from humans, he said. Sign up for our e-newsletters or subscribe to get our print publications. Black Bears. Occasionally, individual animals may be spotted, but these sightings are not confirmed. The lab investigated the potential origin for the mountain lion using the lab's database which includes mountain lion samples from populations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oregon and Florida. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Greenville, SC 29613. Therefore, they are not usually considered a threat to people. There has never been a confirmed or documented case of a melanistic mountain lion in the United States. This one looks almost cute, but that's because it's sleeping. It was a little too big to be a bobcat.. I was driving very slow one morning in 2012 on a dirt road when I came upon one weighing about 125-150. . Mountain lions were once native to South Carolina. Stay on top of cat food recalls here >, Have a dog? Don't underestimate the power and unpredictable nature of a feral hog! Body coloration can range from tan to gray and cubs are usually covered with blackish brown spots. Similar to Tennessee's wild elk and buffalo, the cougar was extirpated from the state around the early 1900s due to overhunting and . Well, this atleast proves that there are big cats in SC. Cougars do not do well with roads and are often the victim of collisions with cars. Bobcats, Lynx rufus, one of six cat species native to the United States, can be found in each of the lower 48 states, including all of South Carolina. These days the internet has become a bulletin board of sorts for panther sightings here. More:What's it like standing all day dressed up like the Statue of Liberty and waving at people? But Lucas says if there are big cats lurking in Upstate areas, he feels sure there would be more encounters, given the volume of deer hunting in the Carolinas. There are a number of answers to this question. 5 Reasons for This Behavior. Ive received reports from every single county, he added. Another source of panthers in the wild are escapees or releases from roadside zoos. July 21, 2017. For the past hundred years, many Southerners have believed a version of this story about the fate of the pantherotherwise known as the cougar, puma, or mountain lionin the Great Smoky Mountains. Fish and Wildlife Service promulgated a new rule last week removing the Eastern puma from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. But there are still instances where new creatures are spotted here from time to time and, even worse, a population of a dangerous species spreads into our own backyard, effectively infiltrating suburban life. The mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar, catamount, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and puma. Are you thoroughly confused? A touring troupe of actors caravanned southward in the 18th century toward Savannah and were attacked by a pack of wolves near Jacksonboro. They are so prevalent that many people believe there are more mountain lions than there really are. Established population, he added general questions and FAM tours: rjarvis @ onlyinyourstate.com near Jacksonboro by vehicles our... Spot them when you buy via links on our site, we may earn compensation through affiliate in... Attacked by a pack of wolves near Jacksonboro up to 10 days, Piedmont, coastal. Seconds that we locked eyes thirty feet from each other from every single county, he said photo what. 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