Eastern Cougar
Felis concolor couguar
- Conservation
- GA state rank SH (Possibly Extirpated)
What the sources say
Habitat: Extensive areas of forested wilderness (Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, Wildlife Conservation Section)
Are there mountain lions in Georgia?
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
Not established.
DNR says no credible physical evidence of a mountain lion population exists in Georgia; only three credible sightings in 25 years, all related to the Florida panther.
Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division: “To date, no credible physical evidence (carcasses, trail camera pictures, photographs, film footage, etc.) has been found to substantiate the existence of a population of mountain lions in Georgia.” Source
More official answers for Georgia
Are there bears in Georgia?
Yes. Black bears occur in three regions — the north Georgia mountains, the Ocmulgee River drainage in central Georgia, and in/around the Okefenokee Swamp — with about 5,100 statewide; DNR records no bear attacks on humans in Georgia. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
Are there coyotes in Georgia?
Yes. Coyotes are found throughout suburban and urban areas; DNR calls them a non-native species in Georgia. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
Are there armadillos in Georgia?
Yes. Armadillos are common in central and southern Georgia and spreading north along I-75; they may be absent from mountain counties. University of Georgia Warnell School
Related species on Georgia's list
These are on Georgia's official list and are related to, or often confused with, mountain lions. They are not the same animal.
Florida Panther
Puma concolor coryi
- Conservation
- Georgia Endangered; US Endangered; GA state rank SH (Possibly Extirpated)
What the sources say
Habitat: Contiguous blocks of heavily forested areas in lowlands and swamps (Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, Wildlife Conservation Section)
All mammals in the state: Georgia mammals.
Where the mountain lion lives in the US
- Native or listed
- Nonnative or not established
- No official record in our data
- 1–9
- 10–99
- 100–999
- 1,000+
Where official sources do confirm it
Official sources confirm the mountain lion in 6 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico and Texas. Florida borders Georgia.
- Florida: “Florida panthers are the larger of Florida's two native cat species (panthers and bobcats). Florida panthers have been documented throughout much of the peninsula and even into Georgia. The core population, however, is found south of Lake Okeechobee.” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
What else it could be
Photo: National Marine Sanctuaries · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons Bobcat
Bobcats are smaller with short tails and are streaked and spotted with black; mountain lions are uniformly colored with a long tail. Bobcat tracks are under 2 inches wide.
Domestic dogs and coyotes (tracks)
Dog and coyote tracks are symmetrical, show one indent at the bottom of the pad and usually claw marks; mountain lion tracks are asymmetrical with three lobes and usually no claw marks.
Misidentified sightings (dogs, house cats, coyotes, bobcats)
Alabama: reported sightings are likely misidentified dogs, cats, coyotes and bobcats.
.jpg){kind=link}
When mammals are seen in Georgia
If you see one in Georgia
Keep your distance and do not try to catch or handle it. Wildlife conflict advice: Georgia DNR 1-800-366-2661. Mountain lion sightings: regional WRD Game Management office (Region 1 706-295-6041; Region 2 770-535-5700; Region 3 706-595-4222; Region 4 229-426-5267; Region 5 229-430-4254; Region 6 912-262-3173), after hours 800-241-4113. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
Other questions about Georgia
Sources
- Mountain Lion Sightings Not Likely in Georgia. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“To date, no credible physical evidence (carcasses, trail camera pictures, photographs, film footage, etc.) has been found to substantiate the existence of a population of mountain lions in Georgia.”
- All Rare Mammals (Georgia Biodiversity Portal). Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, Wildlife Conservation Section. data export July 7, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
- Black Bear Fact Sheet. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division. Revised August 2021; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Black bears occur in three distinct regions in Georgia, but may range over the entire state at times in search of food or a territory of their own. Bear populations exist in the north Georgia mountains, along the Ocmulgee River drainage in central Georgia, and in/around the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia.”
- Living with Coyotes (fact sheet). Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division. updated May 2020; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Coyotes (Canis latrans) are extremely adaptable to their environment and can be found throughout suburban and urban areas. … Coyotes are a non-native species in Georgia and can be harvested year-round on private property.”
- WSFNR-17-36 Nine-banded Armadillo (M. T. Mengak). University of Georgia Warnell School (Extension publication series; PDF hosted on gadnrle.org). WSFNR-17-36; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Armadillos are common in central and southern Georgia and can easily be found in most of Georgia’s 159 counties. They may be absent from the mountain counties but are found northward along the Interstate 75 corridor.”
- Preventing Wildlife Conflicts. Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Need more advice? Call 1-800-366-2661.”
- GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.