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: “Status in Tennessee: Cougars in TN are a rare and infrequent sighting. However there were mulitple confirmed sightings in the fall of 2015.” Source
Yes. Status in Tennessee: The Tennessee black bear population has significantly increased since the 1970's through management and enforcement. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Total length 5 to 8.5 feet including a 21 to 37.5 inch tail; males 79 to 265 lb, females 64 to 141 lb (Missouri Department of Conservation).
How to recognize it
Very large, slender cat with a small head, small rounded ears without tufts and a long, heavy tail.
The tail may be one-third of the total length; much larger than a bobcat or lynx.
Tracks: 2.75 to 3.75 inches wide, three lobes at the bottom of the heel pad, claw marks usually absent.
Where in Tennessee
Historically, the Cougar could be found roaming all across Tennesseee and was considered the most widely distributed land mammal in the Western Hemisphere … Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
What the sources say
Range: Historically, the Cougar could be found roaming all across Tennesseee and was considered the most widely distributed land mammal in the Western Hemisphere. It was believed that persecution and loss of their preferred isolated and undisturbed habitat, it was believed that they had been eliminated in Tennessee and across much of their original range in the eastern U.S.
Habitat: Cougars occupied a wide range of habitats, but preferred dense cover or rocky, rugged, mountainous areas in areas with low human densities. (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency)
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.
When mammals are seen in Tennessee
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
3,850 records (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY).
If you see one in Tennessee
Keep your distance and do not try to catch or handle it. TWRA "Report Wildlife Encounters, Incidents, or Illness" page (https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/report-wildlife.html): bear conflicts (800) 831-1174; online forms for bear sightings, sick deer, and dead or sick birds. Rare birds: [email protected] (2013 checklist). Aquatic invasive species: TWRA directs people to its Invasive Fish Species page. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
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