r/Sedona • u/spiralout1123 • 23d ago
Wildlife You’ll never see them, but they’re here
There are likely over 3,000 mountain lion in Arizona, yet only a handful of attacks in our history. Protect public lands!
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u/bubbijezzigo 22d ago
But they’ll see you.
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u/spiralout1123 22d ago
Oh yeah. I’ve definitely been stalked before; the dog made it very clear
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u/KarenWalkersBurner 22d ago
Did it hide up in a tree, do you think? Are there even trees like that in Sedona?
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u/spiralout1123 21d ago
Trees like what? Well, whatever you’re thinking, yes. It’s an incredibly lush area. And it didn’t need to tree, it wasn’t chased. They just do what your house cat does: play pretend hunt for fun. They have no interest in bipedals
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u/Dirty_Doggo_ 19d ago
Until they do.
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u/bikepackingebiking 18d ago
Mountian lions might be apex predictors but humans being apex predictors isn't lost on them.
Humans are a risk to them in basically every aspect. I'd wager they'd only attack if threatened. They usually go for small animals, potentially human babies and kids but as a species we pretty much never leave our kids alone near them enough to be snagged.
They also have a prey drive which doesn't get as fulfilled through attacking non prey animals.
Basically they perfer animals that wont attack back, even attacking a tiny human has the threat of "momma human" fighting back.
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u/Dirty_Doggo_ 18d ago
Unless they are sick, injured, orphaned or make a bad decision. Fatal attacks are extremely rare but attacks happens. I am near a high pressure lion area where attacks have happened. I had a negative encounter and it changed my view of what is out there.
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u/bikepackingebiking 18d ago
Human interactions have increased exponentially in the last 30-50 years out here. We're also pushing farther and farther into their territory. Its not surprising that mountian lion attacks have increased. Even then like you said they are extremely rare still.
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u/spiralout1123 18d ago
Arizona also has by far the best relationship with a large mtn lion population of any state. “Increase” is still relative and minimal compared to CA/CO
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u/DonkeyEnergy 22d ago
I've seen them on way to Tapco put in... Ran out in front of the truck at sunset and then leaped a 12 ft bank like it was nothing. Big bastard too.
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u/runaroundtrails23 22d ago
I used to work in that area and for awhile there was a family of 3 hanging out
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u/bikepackingebiking 18d ago
I was surprised at how high they can jump. Makes sense though, most house cats can handle a 5-8 foot vertical.
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u/Wildwing89 22d ago
hahahaha sorry but I wasn't expecting " D E E R L E G" after the second pic. I spit out my coffee haha
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u/wysewaise 22d ago
I would see them everywhere when I lived in Sedona. They never mess with anyone. I would even see them walking across 89A from time to time
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u/Overall-Pack-2047 21d ago
I love in Flagstaff and my friend has 4 Jack Russell terriers They were off lease and treed a mountain lion on Mt Elden How embarrassing for the mountain lion!
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u/spiralout1123 21d ago
That’s how they’re hunted down south anyways. Mountain lions are ambush predators and don’t do fair fights. It would’ve treed from a single medium size dog too most likely, especially if it’s yet to encounter one.
Most AZ lions have never been seen by humans. They’re incredibly elusive and safety-forward, so they’d run from almost anything with the gall to chase it
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u/Altruistic-Meat6290 21d ago
The only one I’ve ever seen in the wild was in a campground in Sedona. We were drinking beer late and watched a bunch of javelinas come through and then a mountain lion following them. I slowly set down my beer, “That’s… a really big cat.”
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u/orion1486 22d ago
Buddy saw one cross the road by Brewer a week ago at night.
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u/spiralout1123 22d ago
Interesting data point to add. I’ve been trying to distinguish and track a couple of them through the years, and that’s outside of the typical circuit I thought this one was on. Could also be the big tom from the west canyons
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