Rarely. Status in Tennessee: Cougars in TN are a rare and infrequent sighting. However there were mulitple confirmed sightings in the fall of 2015. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Are there black bears in Tennessee?
Yes. Status in Tennessee: The Tennessee black bear population has significantly increased since the 1970's through management and enforcement. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Cat-sized: 15-17 in long not counting the tail, 8-17 lb (FWC); 24-32 in including a 9.5-14.5 in tail (UGA).
How to recognize it
Bony skin plates that form a shell, which make it easy to identify
Long scaly tail, deer-like ears, long pig-like snout
Tail encased in 12 bony rings; no canine or incisor teeth
Where in Tennessee
These unusual looking animals have only reached Tennessee in the last thirty years or so, but their range continues to expand … Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
What the sources say
Range: These unusual looking animals have only reached Tennessee in the last thirty years or so, but their range continues to expand. They occur across the state except in eastern Tennessee.
Habitat: Generally prefer forests of mature shortleaf pine, oak, and hickory. (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency)
.jpg){kind=link}