One also should consider there are ~100 million domestic dogs and ~50 million cats in US, most of whom spend their day in close proximity to humans compared to 30k mountain lions, most of whom have near 0 interactions with humans. There are ~5000x more dogs/cats, yet there are not 5000x more dog/cat fatalities than mountain lion fatalities. If you see a mountain lion in your backyard, I certainly would not assume it is far less dangerous than a typical domestic dog/cat in your backyard.
That said, the earlier picture was of a bobcat, not a mountain lion. I agree that bobcats pose little risk to humans, unless they are sick (rabies) or threatened. A large bobcat is 30lb and eats squirrels/rodents. A large mountain lion is 150lb and eats deer/elk. I’ve seen both while outside with my dog and had very different reactions, with good reason.
There was a conversation in another thread about dogs being allowed on beaches. This picture is from this morning walking my dog on the beach on Anastasia island. The tide was very low. The beach isn’t always this wide.
From my walk this evening. That’s the Verrazzano Bridge connecting the NYC borough of Brooklyn to the borough of Staten Island (Kings County to Richmond County).
I dropped off DH and his friend at Barrett-Jackson on Thursday. I grew up in the Detroit area and have had enough of cars, so I spent the day in Scottsdale shopping until he texted for pickup as I guess he wasn’t the high bid on that Bugatti.
Beautiful cat photo. Sadly, he probably would disappear without a trace in our neck of the woods. Not because of the bobcat… we have a couple of coyotes roaming the neighborhood!
