Mtn lion roadkill

[Nightowl]

While driving down Hwy 2, just past Sheep Creek we came across a dead mtn lion along the side of the road on the evening of October 26th.  It appeared to be a sub-adult, about 5 feet long.  Since it was in really good condition and was still warm we decided to put it on ice and deliver it to a natural history museum the next day.  It was delivered to the musuem staff and will eventually be on display at Maturango Natural History Museum in Ridgecrest.  LA County Natural History Museum was also very interested but didn't return my phone calls as quickly.  Just thought everyone would like to know about these beautiful cats and their whereabouts.  And don't worry I do this kind of thing quite often.  I'm a biologist and have a scientific collecting permit.  A couple months ago it was a Great Horned owl that went off to a museum.  If anyone encounters unusual, fresh roadkill, in good condition send me an email and at least it can be used for education. 

[Matt951]

Do you have a picture?

[Nightowl]

Nope. 

[wwpt]

 
   Hmmmm.....Sounds like the same one who got my dog a few weeks back. We figured it to be a yearling otherwise the dog never would of been able to outrun an attack from a mature cat.

[ChrisLynnet]

I was so sorry to hear about that.

I live up from Hwy 2 and Sheep Creek (Pinon Mesa) and wonder if that's what got my cat a few weeks ago. I heard the cat cry out and then silence. (It was bad.) I remember thinking at the time that whatever killed Cloudy was awfully quiet for a coyote.  I'm still sorry to hear that a mountain lion id dead, they're beautiful creatures.

[GARY]

There was a sign outside Buddy's Texas Tavern near Texarkana that read.....
"Our meat is so fresh you can still see the tire tracks"

                                                 

[kew]

ROADKILL CAFE MENU

You Kill It, _____________ We Grill It'

http://www.road-kill-cafe.com/roadkill.html

[GARY]

Today, Thursday at about 2p.m.,  I was on 138 headed for I-
15 on my way back home, and as I approached Mormon Rocks what I think was  a mountain lion crossed 138 and made a run for the Rocks.  It seemed to come from the brushy area near LPC & 138.

Do mountain lions come out during the day?  I thought they are nocternal?  I do know they would like rugged areas lsimilar to Mormon Rocks.

I'm glad it (whatever "it" was) made it across 138.

[Nolena]

I'm just staying away from the local hamburgers.

[Forest 1]

[Forest 1]

ROADKILL CAFE MENU

You Kill It, _____________ We Grill It'

http://www.road-kill-cafe.com/roadkill.html

There is a Road Kill Cafe in Seligman Arizona.  If you are ever headed east on I-40, I suggest pulling off on old Route 66 and checking it out. 

[GARY]

Forest............thanks.  I wasn't sure if they come out during the day.  Was I correct about the big cat's favoring rocky places, like Mormon Rocks?

I'm almost certain this was a mountain lion.....it could have been a big dog, but it didn't run like a dog, and I was too far away to really get a good look at it.  By the time I got up to 138 and LPC it had disappeared into the brush.

[Katwest13]

 Grassy Hollow used to have one on display behind the counter.  It was a road kill at the base of Sheep Creek and Highway 2.

 It is beautiful, its paws are as large as my hand (fingers extended).  

The new visitor center has that same cat, I think.

[Forest 1]

Gary,
  Yup...they like rocky areas and dense brush to stalk their prey, but I would have thought the area near Mormon Rocks is too populated for mountain lions.  Every year there are reports of mountain lions that have wandered into a populated area looking for a doggie or kitty nugget. 
  Thats pretty cool you got to see one (if that is what it was). 


There is a new visitor center?!?!?!

[GARY]

Forrest.........you're right about the area being a bit populated.  Alot of railroad traffic, and, about 3 miles away (on 138 going to SR2) are several homes.

Beautiful animals!

[cedar]

Mountain lions stay with their mothers for something in the neighborhood of 18 months.  Once the mother thinks her son is ready (or perhaps is just tired of him) he is kicked out.  There is more tolerance for female offspring.  The young male mountain lion is very much like an 18 year old human, sure they are adults, but many haven't fully developed common sense.  The mountain lions that get into trouble are frequently these 18 month old males.  They are kicked out of the best hunting territorries and end up in backyards eating people's pets.  At our school, we have the pelt and skull of one of these 'kids' who was shot by the game warden in Hesperia.

[Bildonator]

  At our school, we have the pelt and skull of one of these 'kids' who was shot by the game warden in Hesperia.

Sounds a little strict, but if it keeps discipline in the schools....

[wwres]

In reference to Gary's post about the big cat near Mormon Rocks, my husband and/or I have frequently seen a bobcat in that area, all times of day. Once about 2-3pm in the afternoon I saw it run across the road, and there were people standing outside their vehicle at a turnout within rock's throwing distance of it. Just thinking maybe this is what you saw run across the road???

[Nanette]

My daughter saw a mountain lion bounding across highway 2 this morning at 7:48 A.M. as she was going to work.  She was driving east on 2 just before Sheepcreek when the lion bounded out from the houses on the south and disappeared into the wash North across the highway.   This is the first one she has seen here, and was surprised at how large it was!

[wwpt]

 
   I saw the big cat too early this morning at 12:01 am running across Hwy 2 @ Sheep Creek Wash between Twin Lakes and Victorville heading back to the wash. It's apparently finding food sources up in the neighborhood there. Watch your Pets!