Even thought they're . You're probably more likely to get into the Hardrock 100-and win it-than to see a mountain lion east of the Mississippi River.There are no mountain lions in Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Newfoundland and . We Inform. At full size, males are an unmissable 6-to-8-feet long and can weigh 150 pounds, say state officials. Currently, experts are adamant that there is no known mountain lion population in South Carolina. Or could it? 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. Just as armadillo sightings and occasional crocodile visits are being noted around our coast, it's possible, that the Florida panther has made his way north, too. South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States. All rights reserved. The mountain lion has a long tail (2.5-3 feet), while the bobcat has a short tail (less than 10 inches). I know what I heard that afternoon, he said. 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 report said it appeared to be a female lion with two kittens, or two . Once they learn it, they do it again." Despite this there might be no free South Carolina animal services for wildlife within South Carolina County. One popular conspiracy theory claims SCDNR has released a breeding population of western mountain lions to prevent the states surging white-tailed deer population from causing too much agricultural damage. The story cites lack of hard evidence for the existence of mountain lions in the stateno carcasses, no trail camera footage, and no actual sightings corroborated by others. There are a number of answers to this question. All Rights Reserved. The primary difference is that over time, the population that lived in the southern U.S. decreased in sizea normal adaptation to warmer climates. He points to Florida where, despite a known population of less than 200, several Florida panthers are killed every year by vehicles. When I stood up, it ran, shetold Fox News. They were extirpated from Indiana by the late 1800s. Neither am I Rudy Mancke, Marlin Perkins, or Jim Fowler. You can legally trap and hunt bobcats with the right permit but they are endangered in some areas. The eastern cougar historically lived from Maine to South Carolina and from Michigan to Tennessee, the wildlife service said. But mountain lions dont get along well with roads, according to Perry. But some residents, including Koehler, are already taking precautions. 3300 Poinsett Highway We need a top predator to keep the coyotes under control.. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. Andean Mountain Cat. Eerie nighttime photos from trail cameras and tales of mountain lions attacking hikers flood social media and news channels. 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. Theyve been here for thousands of years, Chastain said. . The male mountain lion is a new individual to the lab's DNA database. Fish and Wildlife Service, actually investigated several hundred big cat reports throughout the Southeast in the late 1970s and 1980s but found no proof of their existence outside of Florida. With that said, there are some sightings of mountain lions and cougars but none of them have been confirmed. Adding more confusion to the situation is the small population of elusive panthers living in the Florida Everglades. Few large animals have generated more lore throughout North Carolina than the cougar. The Canadian Wildlife Service has taken no position on the taxonomy. When you live and learn in community with others, you develop deeper bonds, build better support systems and form stronger friendships. Sorry, Carolina Panthers football fans! The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. Fish and Wildlife . When this species eats poisoned rats, they become poisoned as well and will eventually die. Contact: (855) 411-0505. Driving on, I reflected that many of the Upstate servicemen called up for the Army in 1918 were placed in the 81 st Wildcat Division. Its a chick magnet, its a cool thing, Chastain said. Adults are largely nocturnal, solitary and territorial. Mountain lions once lived in much of the eastern United States. Thus, these cats inhabit rugged terrains with steep slopes and little vegetation. These animals often end up being released into the wilderness areas. They . The last panther in the Great Smoky Mountains was dead. There are cougars out there, but they are all without exception the progeny of released Western cougars, he said. Nikolay Kapustin, deputy zoo administrator and veterinarian at the Greenville Zoo, said the prints, which measure 2.5 inches long, are likely coyote tracks. They are about the same size as most domestic cats, after all. Most people in the eastern U.S. havent ever seen a wild mountain lion or jaguar or leopard, said Butfiloski. For years state biologists have treated sightings with suspicion. 26 Sep 16. Koehler wasnt able to record the sound before the mystery creature moved on, but he remains adamant theres a mountain lion roaming around his house. Jaguars and leopards, on the other hand, have a gene that occurs in six percent of the population that causes black cats. South Carolina can probably expect to see one in the next decade given the rate at which these lions are showing up east and north of their established ranges, said Perry. Here in southern Utah, lions have been known to occupy home ranges as large as 513 square miles. Leopards, however, live in Africa and Asia. But they arent true Eastern cougars. There's no question there are some. In South Carolina, this often leads to them eating smaller deer, rabbits, and rats. Many people claimtheyre actually seeing a black mountain lion, but there has never been a mountain lion that has been seen, killed, or bred in captivity that is black,according to Perry. Today the only known reproducing population of cougars in the eastern US occurs in south Florida in the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp. In a national forest there that had been slated for logging, somebody said they saw a cougar. Environmentalist groups weighed in, and the logging was halted. The fight would probably play out with one of the creatures stalking the other. However, as people moved into the area, much of their environment was destroyed. "There are no known cougars in North Carolina," Jodie Owens of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission told the Observer. There is another possibility that seems to be increasing in likelihood in recent years. What was once called the Eastern Cougar and roamed areas throughout the southeastern United States was declared extinct in 2011 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. And verified mountain lion photos and road kill carcasses are slowly but surely appearing in various states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Furman University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, age, religion, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law in admission, treatment, or access to, or employment in, its programs and activities. Simply type the location or club name into the search bar below, and let the service begin! Yet "domestic coyotes are responsible for 20 deaths every year." "The actual threat to people by . My father encountered one on U.S. Highway 172 north of Summerville 40 years ago. Many residents insist theyre either seeing or hearing mountain lions despite the lack of evidence. "Since 1890 there have been 19 fatal Mountain Lion attacks in Canada and the United States," Mattson said. A Florida panther in South Carolina? There are some sightings of cougars in the area as well. South Carolina has two populations of black bears. Instead, Lucas said the majority of sightings are likely misidentification of other animals like bears, coyotes or large dogs. I'm not Bill Bryson, and this column isn't entitled 'A Walk In the Woods.' However, should one be sighted, it is now illegal to kill them. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great . They can weigh anywhere from 1025 pounds. Because of their immense range, cougars can be seen in a number of habitats. In those streams where it's still possible to pan for tiny bits of gold, there can be heard the bone-chilling screech of the owl and the cry of the bobcat making a kill. Make noise, make yourself appear larger by waving your arms. From Mauldin to McClellanville, folks are coming forward to report their own sightings of the phantom panther. The responding officers later spotted the animal near Earle and Daniel halls, according to reports. Do not turn your back. Can Cats Eat Rosemary? What You Need to Know! What's it like standing all day dressed up like the Statue of Liberty and waving at people? Nearby City: Chestnut Springs. While some South Carolinians are reportedly spotting mountain lions, others are claiming to see something much more menacing: a black panther. February 12, 2019, the story of a man who claimed to have been attacked by a black panther in Georgetown county spread quickly across news outlets and social media. These felines are comfortable in many . However, that does not mean that cougars may not end up in the state at all. Hubby's family lives in the Francis Marion forest and has seen a black panther along with black bears.'. Many counties, including Spartanburg and Anderson, ban exotic pets. There are countless game and trail cameras out in the woods ofSouth Carolina at any given time, and nobody has photographed a large cat, yet these animals do show up on game camerasin states that have cougars, said Butfiloski, who believes the trail camera footage from Ladys Island shows a house cat. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011. Therefore, they are not usually considered a threat to people. They believe what they saw, said Butfiloski. The massive cat cleared the road in one swift near silent leap. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Posts: 1,441. 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. Mistaken identities may also occur with the cougar's smaller relative, the bobcat. Also have positively ID'ed a large cat tracks on a pond dam on the same property, and the owner saw one 5+ years ago and now carries a .44 Mag on his hip whenever he goes hunting. How Should I Introduce My Puppy to a Dominant Dog? South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States 803-256-0670 mail@scwf.org Some of them have migrated as far north as Jasper County in the southern tip of South Carolina, Chastain said. Known For: Corbin Mountain is part of the Saluda Mountains, which are part of the greater Blue Ridge Mountains that traverse South Carolina. The last confirmed sighting of the subspecies, "once the most widely roaming mammal in the New World" according to the federal government, was in 1938. The eastern cougar historically lived from Maine to South Carolina and from Michigan to Tennessee, the wildlife service said. Male mountain lions, also known as toms, occasionally travel long distances and sometimes appear from South Carolina to New England, according to Perry. Young cougars are marked with dark spots. The mountain lion is also known as cougar, panther, or puma. Too many sightings, all reporting a big cat with a long tail, big head and paws - can they all be explained away as poor visibility, overfed ferrel cats, or active imaginations? But they aren't true . We Inspire. Some sightings were later verified as a different animal, such as a coyote or bobcat. I said in the forum "black panthers in the hunting woods," that there are black panthers in SC, and I know its hard to believe. When you see the name "panther" "painter", "catamount" and other cougar synonyms attached to creeks, mountain peaks, gaps, and other features of our topography, it is a testament to the fact that this large predator was not only once here in South Carolina and the eastern US, but that its presence impressed people enough to name a place after it. The last three eastern cougars were killed in 1930 in Tennessee, New Brunswick in 1932, and Maine in 1938. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. Most tracks and pictures could possibly have been a different animal, which means that they cannot officially count as a cougar sighting. East Tennessee Mountain Lions- Part 2. What is difference between bobcat and mountain lion? In fact, there are more than 80 names for the puma, more names than any other animal, according to the book "Cougar: The American Lion," by Kevin Hansen.It is important to note, though, that pumas . These beautiful areas were carved with flowing water. Born Free USA, a national wildlife conservation group, estimates there are up to 20,000 big cats owned privately across North America. 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. Well, this atleast proves that there are big cats in SC. The Eastern puma more commonly called a cougar around here has been declared extinct. The primary food source for a mountain lion would be deer and there is no doubt we have lots of them but so does Georgia and South Carolina. The big cats once roamed the entire Southeast but were decimated by hunting. The eastern cougar, however, was declared extinct in 2011. Mountain lions are sneaky animals, he said. Yesterday around 5 p.m., my husband, a realtor and myself had a Mountain Lion jump the road in front of us about 30 yards ahead of us while walking a 19 acre property in Murphy NC mountains! While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Lets muddy the water a little more. But who knows in a generation or so what might happen, he said. However, these are far-off occasions and are a rare sight in the more rural areas of New York state. South Carolinians are likely seeing something, even if its not a mountain lion. Our approach to admissions may be holistic, but our goal is singular: find the most well-rounded, academically accomplished and interesting students out there. Wed love to know! By Sign up for our e-newsletters or subscribe to get our print publications. The Mauldin Police Department tried to capture the cat using a metal cage baited with a slab of beef donated by a local grocery store but quit after trying for several days. Mountain lions typically keep their distance from humans, he said. Several years later, the story of a federal foresters escape from the clutches of a black panther in Oconee County made headlines. and that is exactly what makes these areas dangerous. Cougars do not do well with roads and are often the victim of collisions with cars. Yet, something occurred yesterday on an upstate highway that has inspired me to postpone the column that I had planned for this week. Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. in weight. Could not stop to look at it because I had traffic behind me. Lucas said that although there is a possibility western cougars could eventually make their way to the western Carolinas, the chances of someone having an encounter with one are extremely small. But its still against the law to shoot one. There have also been several sightings at Clemson University over the years. A wild mountain lion hasnt been verified in South Carolina in about 100 years, said Perry, whos studied mountain lions for more than a decade. The last recorded escape occurred in 2003 when a 200-pound pet mountain lion named Rage broke free from his cage in Laurens County. While were on the subject of panthers which are also called cougars or pumas: Im sorry to have to dispel the myth that black panthers once roamed the Carolinas. While everyone knows the dangers of feeding a bear, most people overlook the possibility of one of them running across the road while you're driving. Canadian Lynx vs Bobcat: How Do They Differ? . Low near 65F. My fears were that folks would say that dusk had played tricks on my eyes, that somebody's big Tom was on the prowl. Their name is derived from their short, or bobbed, tail. While there may be a few stray mountain lions wandering around the state, there is not currently an established population. In others, the encounters are more direct, like the report from a U.S. Forest Service employee who said a big cat had chased him into the Chattooga River. People who report these sightings come from all walks of life, and areusually sincere and honest. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. They are also known as . A history of mistaken identity and conspiracies. Web design & hosting powered by eNation Worldwide. Love South Carolina? Fortunately, a mountain lion hasnt escaped captivity for more than a decade in South Carolina,according to Butfiloski. He said there used to be a den behind the Bowles horse farm before the farm was there. The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as mountain lion, panther, painter, puma, and catamount, is the largest feline animal in North America. Instead, theyre wandering males. Black Bears. The animal started running so I decided to run and get away and jump in the river to get across to the other side, Fletcher told The State. (An Overview), Why Do Cats Eat Plants? Are There Big Cats in South Carolina? They are most commonly found in areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover. Bobcats are South Carolinas only wild cat. "Essentially we really are correcting something that listed a species despite its having gone extinct many, many decades ago, even before the Endangered Species Act was even enacted in 1973, Meaghan Racey with the Fish and Wildlife Service said. There has never been a record or credible account of a black cougar in Eastern North America, Chastain said. Low near 65F. Long thought to be extinct, the Carolina version of the big Eastern cougar is alive and very well, thank you. 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. More recently, a Piedmont resident captured a trail camera photo of what many believed to be a black panther. Young males must find their own territory after leaving their mothers. by: Dennis Matherly. This feline is a close relative to the Lynx, which roams further up north. Hepper is reader-supported. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. 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. Although an occasional large cat being kept as a pet may escape from captivity, there has been no evidence of a reproducing population of cougars in the state. More recent mountain lion reports stem from the Upstate. Now to complicate matters further, there are some cougars/pumas living in Florida that are considered to be of the native Eastern variety. Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Photo donated by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Kameron Peresnovich. There was one outside of my son's school once and all the kids saw it. Adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between . Tina Underwood, Contributing Writer, Last updated Im not the only person hearing and seeing these cats, said Koehler. North Carolina - North Carolina's mountain lion population is said to have died out around the year 1900. Being nocturnal doesnt help matters, especially since their coat makes them basically impossible to see at night. How does allopurinol treat leishmaniasis. But Im not sure well ever see an established breeding population.. The mountain lion was there hundreds of thousands of years before you . I live in the south eastern corner of Wilkes county on 70 acres close to Yadkin county and Iredell county. Don't underestimate the power and unpredictable nature of a feral hog! These cats get their name from their short tail. CHARLESTON Four endangered red wolves have returned to the birthplace of South Carolina, going on display in a zoo where their species freely roamed more than 300 years ago. There are Mountain lions in North Carolina. This mountain sits near the border of South Carolina and North Carolina. History of Large Cats in South Carolina First, for clarity, the panther has many names, including puma, cougar and mountain lion-all of these names refer to the same animal in North America. I listened to bobcats, coyotes, and all kinds of other animals. In fact, the bobcat is the only native wild cat found in South Carolina today. 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? While mountain lions may occasionally wander into the area, they are exceedingly rare and the state has no breeding population. Whether they're called cougars, mountain lions, pumas or catamounts, wildlife experts believe the cats exist as a stable, . I think many people just get excited when trail cameras or videos reveal an animal in the woods.. 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. Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? In fact, the bobcat is the only native wild cat found in South Carolina today. Cougars are known to have a long-range, especially males. I guess a Florida panther could possibly roam into South Carolina, but Im not sure they would make it that far without getting hit by a car, said Butfiloski. Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. But SCNDR later concluded the animal was probably a black coyote. Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Bobcats are an elusive species. In 2009, Jenkins responded to a call after several residents at Jasmine Cove apartment complex reported seeing a large cat in the surrounding woods. Usually a shy cat, the cougar prefers to stalk its prey and is rarely ever a threat to people. This, after the most famous mountain lion in Los Angeles, known as P-22, died in December . Subscribe today! In a fight between mountain lion vs bobcat, the mountain lion would win. #1 The tail. The sighting of this cougar cub occurred about a mile west of the Little Lynches River and within a few hundred yards from one of its tributary streams. These cats separate from their mothers to find their own territory when they reach sexual maturity, and males may have to travel very far to find free territory. However, they may also consume fish, birds, and squirrels, and some have even been seen eating insects. Have you spotted any of the above in an out-of-place spot in the Palmetto State! We Connect. Therefore, your odds of seeing a mountain lion are extremely low. Since then, there have been more sightings, but none of them have been confirmed. 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. 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. One is located in the mountains and the other is found in the coastal plains. While there may be a few stray mountain lions wandering around the state, there is not currently an established population. Sign up for our e-newsletters or subscribe to get our print publications. In South Carolina, as in much of the east, what largely remains of the cougar is its name, which is linked to many of our landscape features. Your Safety in Mountain Lion Habitat. For more information . The West Virginia Wildlife Center . However, they werent able to provide evidence of the encounter. I actually drove out to the apartment and noticed some large tracks in the mud, said Jenkins, who didnt take photos of the tracks or file an official report. In fact, somesay its already happening. See more columns online at www.moultrienews.com. The back story on why the myth or truth of the existence of Eastern cougars/pumas is consequential comes from Tennessee. 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. Yes, it would be technically illegal to shoot an Eastern cougar that was on the Endangered Species List, said Greg Lucas, a spokesman for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. We want to connect with you to know your story and learn more about all you will contribute to the Furman community. Back away slowly, preferably to a place of shelter like a building or vehicle. Suddenly, the children saw a movement and a mountain lion came walking down the trail . The mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar, catamount, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and puma. Never heard anything like it. With spectacular hiking trails, scenic waterfalls and sweeping views, the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina are an outdoor enthusiast's dream. I can tell you they werent from your everyday dog or house cat.. 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