Do mountain lions live in Oklahoma?

Asked by: Joel Sweatman

There have been 40 confirmed mountain lion sightings since 2002 in the state, according to the Wildlife Department. Osage County leads the list with seven, followed by Cimarron County with six. Over the years, there even have been a few mountain lions documented in central Oklahoma.

Are there any mountain lions in Oklahoma?

The mountain lion is one of Oklahoma’s most elusive and discussed wildlife species. “Do we have mountain lions here or not?” The short answer is yes, sometimes. But we have far fewer than rumors would lead you to believe.

How many mountain lion are in Oklahoma?

Despite this absence, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation decided to list mountain lions as a game species with a closed season in 1957. There is currently no resident population of mountain lions, and even with hundreds of reports of mountain lion sightings, only 11 have been confirmed.

Are there any big cats in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma had its fourth confirmed mountain lion sighting of the year on Oct. 20, and its fifth may come within a few days. In 2020, Okies saw seven mountain lions — or cougars, catamounts, puma, painters, or panthers — pick your moniker.

What wild cats live in Oklahoma?

I am a blogger from Southern Oklahoma who loves to write about nature and animals. North America is home to six species of wildcats—bobcats, lynx, ocelots, cougars, jaguars, and jaguarundis—all of which are considered native to North America.

Are there wolves in Oklahoma?

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), red wolf (Canis rufus), gray wolf (Canis lupus), and grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) are extinct in the state.

Is there black panthers in Oklahoma?

Black leopards are more commonly found in the dense tropical rain forest of southeast Asia. Jaguars are found in Central and South America. It is possible for a breeder to have released a once-captive black leopard in the state, but there are no free-ranging black panthers in Oklahoma, state wildlife officials say.

Are there grizzly bears in Oklahoma?

The Great Plains Grizzly



A comprehensive 2002 Conservation Biology analysis of the historical range of the grizzly in the lower 48 States suggested the bear likely occupied most of the Dakotas and the far western reaches of Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma as well as extreme West Texas.

Where are mountain lions located in Oklahoma?

There have been 40 confirmed mountain lion sightings since 2002 in the state, according to the Wildlife Department. Osage County leads the list with seven, followed by Cimarron County with six. Over the years, there even have been a few mountain lions documented in central Oklahoma.

What predators does Oklahoma have?

Oklahoma’s predators include several species of birds, including eagles, owls and hawks, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Many small animals can also be considered predatory, including insects such as the ambush bug.

Does Tulsa have mountain lions?

I felt I'm not dreaming. So anyway that's why I told the please neighbor called in and said they had a mountain lion about 20 foot up in the tree. And when you got that call up on through your mind.

Are there mountain lions in central Oklahoma?

Over the years, a few mountain lions have been documented in central Oklahoma. Two were confirmed in Logan County (in ), and one each in McClain (2002), Grady (2011) and Pottawatomie (2015) counties.

How big do bobcats get in Oklahoma?

While bobcats are solitary and territorial animals, ranging in size from 1.5 to 2 feet and weighing between nine and 33 lbs, they are plentiful in Oklahoma, however they are not seen very often.

Where are mountain lions located in Oklahoma?

There have been 40 confirmed mountain lion sightings since 2002 in the state, according to the Wildlife Department. Osage County leads the list with seven, followed by Cimarron County with six. Over the years, there even have been a few mountain lions documented in central Oklahoma.

Are there mountain lions in central Oklahoma?

Over the years, a few mountain lions have been documented in central Oklahoma. Two were confirmed in Logan County (in ), and one each in McClain (2002), Grady (2011) and Pottawatomie (2015) counties.

Does Tulsa have mountain lions?

I felt I'm not dreaming. So anyway that's why I told the please neighbor called in and said they had a mountain lion about 20 foot up in the tree. And when you got that call up on through your mind.

What predators does Oklahoma have?

Oklahoma’s predators include several species of birds, including eagles, owls and hawks, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Many small animals can also be considered predatory, including insects such as the ambush bug.

What’s the deadliest animal in Oklahoma?

The most dangerous animals in Oklahoma are snakes. There’s no doubt about that. There are a few species here that can be fatal to humans, like the diamondback, the cottonmouth, and the pygmy rattlesnake. They all possess a powerful venom that can kill if left untreated.

Does Oklahoma have wild tigers?

Tiger Safari houses some of the rarest cats in Oklahoma including a royal white tiger and royal golden tabby tigers, which are some of the rarest tigers in the world.

What animal kills the most in Oklahoma?

For most of the states, it’s dogs, deer or venomous snakes. For Oklahoma, they have without a doubt the strangest one on the list. Tigers, yes tigers in Oklahoma have the highest risk of killing you.

Are there hyenas in Oklahoma?

To see real spotted hyenas – also known as the “laughing” kind – the Oklahoma City Zoo now has two females – Briar and Thistle – on display on wild dog row. Spotted hyenas are not an endangered species, but they are disappearing in some areas.

Do moose live in Oklahoma?

It was seen in Oklahoma last September, near the Optima Wildlife Refuge. The Kansas wildlife agency said when the moose returned to that state in November, its health had deteriorated. Veterinarians who recently observed the animal hope to capture the bull, nurse it back to health and release it in its natural habitat.

Is there Wolverines in Oklahoma?

Black bears are not commonly associated with Oklahoma but, according to Kirk, they aren’t completely foreign to the state. “In the panhandle we’ve got a pretty good resident population out there,” said Kirk. Wolverines are a common reported sighting but a confirmed sighting has yet to be public knowledge.

What kind of wolves live in Oklahoma?

You see, Oklahoma once was home to one of two known species of wolves in North America. Unlike their more adaptable northern counterpart the timber wolf, the red wolf once roamed the prairies and hills of Oklahoma.

Are porcupines in Oklahoma?

Description. Long, barbed quills make the North American porcupine one of Oklahoma’s most distinctive – and prickly – rodents. Individual porcupines may have as many as 30,000 quills that can be used to deter predators.

Are there kangaroos in Oklahoma?

GRAND LAKE TOWNE, Okla. — It’s not Australia, but a few kangaroos were spotted in the wild in Oklahoma Wednesday. One, named Big Red, escaped with two female kangaroos from their pen at Oasis Animal Adventures in northeast Oklahoma. They greeted one of the animal farm’s staff members Wednesday when arriving at work.

What animal is Oklahoma known for?

The American buffalo

Animal. The American buffalo was adopted as the state animal in 1972.

Are there Badgers in Oklahoma?

The badger (Taxidea taxus) generally is considered to be a grassland carnivore. It feeds on burrowing rodents and is common in central to western Oklahoma in the plains and the post oak-blackjack oak upland physiognomic regions (Caire et al 1989).

Are there Foxes in Oklahoma?

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is likely one of the most striking and beautiful animals that can be seen in Oklahoma. Not to be confused with its cousin, the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), the red fox is easily identified by its red coat and bushy and white-tipped tail.

Are alligators common in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, alligators are only found in the southeast of the state, including in the Red and Little River systems that run through Choctaw, Bryan, McCurtain, and Love counties, according to the DWC.

Are bears native to Oklahoma?

“Oklahoma has two black bear populations,” Fairbanks said. “One group is in the Ouachita Mountains of southeast Oklahoma, while the other is in the Oklahoma Ozark in the east central part of the state.”