Are there mountain lions in the Smoky Mountains?

There are eight to 10 reported sightings of mountain lions, also called cougars or pumas, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year.



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Encounters With Bears Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! Bear pepper spray may be carried by hikers within Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the strict purpose of protection against bodily harm from aggressive wildlife.

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Expert trackers look for the following to identify mountain lion tracks:
  • Three lobes at the bottom of the pad. ...
  • Teardrop-shaped toes. ...
  • Between 3- and 3.5-inch-wide tracks. ...
  • No claw marks are usually visible, except in extremely rare occasions when mountain lions use them for extra traction or to build up speed.


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