Where do the mountain lions live in Seattle?

We've heard that mountain lions inhabit the Seattle 'burbs and eat people's pets. Any truth to that rumor? Have you ever seen a mountain lion in your neighborhood? What critters are out in your neighborhood after midnight?

When I lived in San Jose CA there were some "up the mountain" in Los Gatos. Several reported attacks on hikers/joggers. Never saw one myself. Boulder CO to the north west has some and they have been on the upswing (and eating a few pets) so the authorities are getting more active controlling them.

Here in South Denver we have tons of rabbits (walking out to the car from my condo I've seen literally dozens on the lawn happily trimming the grass). When I've driven out to my "urban sort-of dark site" (a dead end road that is fairly isolated by a park) I've seen coyotes lob by now and then but they always kept their distance. We also have had some yearling bears looking for new territory that end up in trees in the neighborhood south of us. They end up being harassed by onlookers so the police have to keep people back until they climb down (they get a free ride up the mountain to a more isolated area).

Lee Spain said:

We've heard that mountain lions inhabit the Seattle 'burbs and eat people's pets. Any truth to that rumor? Have you ever seen a mountain lion in your neighborhood? What critters are out in your neighborhood after midnight?

Apparently here in Colorado the lions like to live on campus. But hey, who wouldn't?

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_19051253

J

I have never seen one myself, but it is not unusual to hear of sightings, mainly in the hills to the east of the metropolitan area.

The scariest encounter I think I have had was in front of my house at about 2AM. The biggest German Shepherd I ever saw -- must have weighed at least 120 -- came rambling down the street off leash, no owner in sight (at first), and looked like he wanted to pretty thoroughly check me out. About the time I was getting really nervous, a policeman comes down the street some distance behind the dog and tells me not to worry: the dog was just a member of the K9 corp on a night training exercise. Would not want to get caught by that puppy!

You ain't seen nothin' yet until you have a big black bear at your front door. Only 50 miles north of NYC.

You ain't seen nothin' yet until you have a big black bear at your front door. Only 50 miles north of NYC.