WILD About Mountain Lions

Nothing says “teachable moment” like the sightings of mountain lions (Felis concolor) in Iowa. Similar to WILD’s “How Many Bears Can Live in the Forest?,” “How Many Lions Can Live in the Forest”* looks at the limiting factors of mountain lions. An engaging social studies extension for secondary grades is to assign students a position on the classification of these animals - no classification (current status) vs. furbearer status (proposed by the IDNR). Allow time for research, preparation, and a debate.

*used with permission from South Dakota’s Game, Fish, and Park’s recent publication WILD About Mountain Lions

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Reading Connections

Grades PreK-2
Fowler, A. 1999. Cougar: Lion of the Mountains. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Hodge, D. and N.G. Ogle. 1999. Wild Cats: Cougars, Bobcats and Lynx. Kids Can Press.
Middleton, D. 2001. Pumas: Big Cats. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Walker, S. 2002. Eye Wonder: Big Cats. DK Publishing, Inc.

Grades 3-5
Barrett, J. 1998. Cougar. Gale Group.
Corrigan, P. 2001. Cougars. Northwood Press.
Corrigan, P. et.al. 2002. Big Cats!: Exploring the Fascinating Worlds of Cougars, Leopards, Lions, and Tigers. T&N Children's Publishing.
Crewe, S. 1998. Life Cycle of the Mountain Lion. Steck-Vaughn.
Gentle, V. 2002. Cougars. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Simon, S. 1994. Big Cats. HarperTrophy.
Stone, L.M. 1997. Cougars. Lerner Publishing Group.

Grades 9-12
Bolgiano, C. 2005. Eastern Cougar: Historic Accounts, Scientific Investigations, and New Evidence. Stackpole Books.
Busch, R.H. 2004. The Cougar Almanac: A Complete Natural History of the Mountain Lion. Lyons Press.
Ewing, S. and Elizabeth Grossman. 1999. Shadow Cat: Encountering the American Mountain Lion. Sasquatch Books.