mountain lion travel radius

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Answers to your questions about mountain lions.

Answers to Your Questions

• Identifying Mountain Lion Tracks.
• Are Mountain Lions, Cougars, and Panthers all the Same Animal?

How Many Mountain Lions Are There?

What do mountain lions look like.

• Where Do Mountain Lions Live in the U.S.?

What Do Mountain Lions Eat?

Are mountain lions dangerous.

• How Can I Protect My Pets and Livestock From Mountain Lions?

Will Sport Hunting of Lions Improve the Safety of People, Pets and Livestock?

• If Mountain Lions Aren’t Endangered Why Do They Need Protection?

What is the Mountain Lion Foundation?

Mountain lions can.

• Bound up to 40 feet running
• Leap 15 feet up a tree
• Climb over a 12 foot fence
• Travel many miles at 10 mph
• Reach speeds of 50 mph in a sprint

Identifying Mountain Lion Tracks

Mountain lions have a distinctive “M” shaped pad with three lobes on the rear of the heel (dogs only have two lobes). Their claw marks do not show in the track. Walking, the cat’s hind foot steps in his fore track, creating overlapping patterns.  Their toes slant — similar to human feet — indicating left or right foot. Dog tracks are more symmetrical, and the raised dirt in the middle forms an “X”  shape. Click here for more information on mountain lion tracks, scat and other signs.

Are Mountain Lions, Cougars and Panthers all the Same Animal?

YES!  The American lion’s scientific name is  Puma concolor,  and is sometimes referred to as “the cat of many names.” The scientific name was changed from “ Felis concolor ” in recent decades. Mountain lions once ranged more extensively than any other mammal in the Western Hemisphere. Historically they could be found anywhere from the Canadian Yukon to the Straits of Magellan — over 110 degrees in latitude — and from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean. As a result, each native tribe and group of European explorers gave the cat a different name. Today, mountain lions are listed in dictionaries under more names than any other animal in the world. Writer Claude T. Barnes listed 18 native South American, 25 native North American, and 40 English names for the same animal. Depending on the region and native language, common names for the American lion include: mountain lion, cougar, panther, puma, painter, el leon, and catamount. To learn more about the origins of some of these names, read  Chapter 1  of Cougar: The American Lion.

Although the mountain lion may have more names and nicknames than any other animal, the following are not names for lions and represent completely different species: bobcat, lynx, ocelot, jaguar, leopard, cheetah, Asiatic lion, African lion, and tiger. Many people have heard the term  “black panther,” but these are actually melanistic jaguars or leopards: a genetic trait that makes an individual cat’s fur appear much darker than the usual coloration. To date there has never been a confirmed case of a melanistic (black) mountain lion.

The solitary and elusive nature of mountain lions makes them difficult to research and practically impossible to count. Population estimation models are based on numerous long-term studies of lion populations, their prey, and habitat mapping. Based on the best available data at this time, the Mountain Lion Foundation believes the mountain lion population in the United States is unlikely to exceed 30,000. And, many of those lions depend upon severely fragmented and degraded habitat, are in severe danger of over-hunting and road kill, are imperiled by intolerance of their presence on the landscape, and are so few  and unconnected they are on the edge of genetic viability. People are responsible for the death of more than 3,000 mountain lions in the U.S. each and every year.

For more information, read How Many Lions are in the United States?

Puma concolor  means lion of one color. Adult mountain lions have a tan-colored coat — much like the African lion — but are slighter in build with a head that is smaller in proportion to its body.

The sexes look alike, though male lions are 30 to 40 percent larger than females. Though sizes vary greatly throughout the cat’s geographic range, a typical adult male will weigh 110 to 180 pounds and the female 80 to 130 pounds. Exceptional individuals have exceeded 200 pounds, but this is rare. Adult males will measure 6 to 8 feet from nose to tail tip and females 5 to 7 feet. The most recognizable feature of the American lion is its long and heavy tail, which measures almost one-third of the lion’s total length.

Mountain lion kittens or cubs (either term is correct) have camouflaging spots and rings around their tails that fade as they mature.

For more information on   mountain lions check out MLF’s Biology & Behavior page. To learn how to identify a lion’s age and gender, check out this helpful  ID Guide  from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

How and Where do Mountain Lions Live in the U.S.?

Mountain lions used to occupy the entire United States coast-to-coast, but today they are primarily found in 14 western states with a small endangered population in Florida. Five very small populations have regained an unsteady foothold just east of the Rockies in the 1980s and 90s, but their future is uncertain.

They prefer areas with dense undergrowth and cover, and will leave an area if they perceive a threat. Found in deserts, humid coast forests, arid hillsides, scrub and oak woodlands, lions can live from sea level to snow-covered mountain peaks.

A ten year lifespan is considered old age for a mountain lion in the wild. Lions in captivity have been known to live twice that long. In areas where mountain lions are hunted for sport, only a small percentage make it past five years old.

Mountain lions are solitary unless mating or parenting and maintain territories that average 100 square miles in size. Lions mark their territories by clawing trees and urinating on scratch piles of dry leaves, grass or pine needles. They will fight other lions, even to the death, to protect their territory. A female with kittens will move to a new den site within her territory  every few weeks to protect her kittens from predators and male lions. To learn more about “Cougars at Home,” check out Chapter Three of MLF’s on-line book; Cougar: The American Lion.

Opportunistic hunters, mountain lions typically hunt alone from dusk to dawn, taking their prey (primarily deer) from behind. On average, a lion will kill a deer about once a week. They also dine on coyotes, raccoons, rodents, elk, feral hogs, and even porcupines. They may drag the meal to another area and cover it with dry leaves, grass or pine needles to protect the food from other animals and  to reduce spoilage. A mountain lion may return to feed at the site over a period of several days. For more information on a lion’s diet, read  Chapter Four of MLF’s on-line book; Cougar: The American Lion.

To deer, yes! To people, not so much. Human encounters with mountain lions are rare and the risk of an attack is infinitely small. You are more likely to drown in your bathtub, be killed by a pet dog, or hit by lightning. If lions had any natural urge to hunt people, there would be attacks every single day. Instead, they avoid us.

But if you live, work, or play in cat country,  be alert!  Avoid walking alone between dusk and dawn when lions are most active. Keep your children and pets close to you. Never approach or corner a mountain lion (or any wild animal). If you do encounter a mountain lion,  STOP. DO NOT RUN . Unlike safety advice for encountering bears, do not act timid or play dead in front of a cat.

Instead: Maintain eye contact. Stand tall. Look bigger by opening your coat or raising your arms. Slowly wave your  arms and speak firmly. Throw items at the lion if necessary. Give the cat room and time to move on.

In the rare event of an attack, fight back. Most people succeed in driving the mountain lion away.

How Can I Protect My Pets and Livestock from Mountain Lions?

If you live in or around mountain lion habitat, it is wise to bring your animals indoors at night. Although still a fairly rare occurrence, domestic animals can be an easy meal for mountain lions and other wild predators. Mountain lions hunt primarily at night and unprotected pets, sheep and goats are easy prey. Most pets  and livestock do not have the skills to protect themselves and are dependent on people for their safety. The threat to domestic animals from mountain lions can easily be avoided by modifying animal husbandry practices. See MLF’s 4 Simple Steps for more details.

No. The assertion that sport hunting is a necessary and effective strategy for reducing mountain lion attacks on people remains widespread in the mainstream media and in the popular literature. While some state wildlife agencies, such as in California and Wyoming, state that sport hunting cannot be expected to increase public safety, other state agencies have claimed the opposite, apparently to garner public support for sport hunting. For example, without any scientific research to back their theory, in 2005 the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks offered as the primary justification for their state’s first-ever sport hunting season on mountain lions that it “may be a more effective solution [than removal of individual lions] for dealing with problems caused by mountain lions.” This would be like the police department saying their new plan to reduce crime is to start randomly arresting innocent people on the street.

Annually killing off thousands of lions in wilderness areas that avoid people does not make the remaining lion population fearful of humans.

An overwhelming number of studies have clearly demonstrated that sport hunting of lions not only does not increase the public’s safety, it also does not reduce depredation on livestock or other domestic animals, and in fact appears to be responsible for the increase in human/lion  conflicts in regions where lion mortality is excessive. For more information see Effects of Sport Hunting on Cougar Population, Community and Landscape Ecology   and the latest research on what happens when adult lions are excessively hunted:   Troubled Teens .

If Mountain Lions Aren’t Endangered Why Do They Need to Be Protected?

Although many people believe the number of lions in the U.S. is increasing, this is not the case. Habitat destruction, roadkill, poaching, poisoning and primarily trophy hunters are killing more mountain lions today than at any other time in our nation’s history. More lions are being shot today by hunters than were killed during America’s bounty period when residents were paid for helping eliminate unwanted species; and quotas continue to be increased every single year. There is no legitimate reason to trophy hunt mountain lions: it is purely a recreational sport. MLF and our supporters around the globe believe it is time for this brutal and outdated pastime to come to an end. It is no longer in line with society’s views and our remaining wildlands cannot endure the slaughter of this apex species.

Wildlife biologists know mountain lions are vital and invaluable. It is a keystone species playing an irreplaceable and complex role on the landscape. Lions exist in low densities and are self-regulating which means they control their own population size in balance with the ecosystem without the need for human intervention. Top carnivores help maintain the plants and animals within their range. Mountain lions keep deer herds on the move so that they do not overgraze in any particular area. This behavioral change results in less erosion along riverbanks and increases habitat for other species like songbirds. Ecosystems with lions are healthier, more sustainable, and contain a richer balance of nature.

Because they are so difficult to research, we don’t know how many are left, only that we are making it increasingly difficult for lions to find suitable habitat and avoid hunters. If the species is to survive, or stand a chance  at recolonizing the eastern two-thirds of our country, effective protection laws need to be put in place now. To find out more about the threats facing mountain lions in America today, visit MLF’s Threats page.

Founded in 1986 to stop the trophy hunting of mountain lions in California, the Mountain Lion Foundation (MLF) has grown into a national, non-profit conservation and education organization dedicated to protecting mountain lions and their habitat. MLF has inspired citizens across the nation to act on behalf of lions and their habitat by presenting practical solutions to complex problems, providing unbiased information to media, aiding local activists, promoting lion research, influencing regulation and changing laws.

Your membership, at any level, makes you part of a nationwide network of individuals who commit dollars and energy to the cause of Saving America’s Lion. For more information on who we are and what we have accomplished visit MLF’s About page.

Can’t Find What You Are Looking for On Our Web Page?

If you still cannot find what you are looking for please contact us and we will try to assist you in finding what you are looking for on the MLF website. Our email is [email protected] , and our phone number is 916-442-2666.

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY RESEARCH

Mountain Lion Movements and Dispersal

Map showing dispersal movements made by mountain lions from the Davis Mountains. The dispersal of subadult mountain lions away from their natal range is important to ensuring genetic diversity within mountain lion populations.

Mountain lions are a wide-ranging species known to move long distances in search of food, water, adequate habitat, and mates. We examined the movements of mountain lions in west Texas to evaluate their movement rates and to describe the dispersal behavior of subadult animals.

The average daily movement rate for all mountain lions, based on straight line distance between each consecutive GPS point, was 2.3 miles/day. We did not observe any significant difference between the average movement rates of males and females nor did we see significant seasonal differences in movement rates.

When young mountain lions start to become independent, they will often make long-range or “dispersal” movements away from their natal home ranges, in search of a range to establish as their own. We observed long-range or dispersal movements for 7 mountain lions (5 females and 2 males). All except for one, TXF03, were subadults.

TXF03 made a large loop west of her range, along with her kitten, TXF02. They travelled together for 8 days, approximately 25 miles west to within 2 miles of Route 90 before returning back to their normal range. Separately, subadult mountain lions TXF01 and TXF06 made long-range movements to the north, both coming within 2 miles of interstate 10 and then turning around and returning south.

Although mountain lions frequently crossed roads in our study, larger roads with higher traffic volume may have been avoided.

Two mountain lions, TXF10 and TXM03 both successfully left the Davis Mountains. TXF10 dispersed to the south, through the Puertacitas Mountains, before heading farther east toward the Sierra del Carmens. TXF10 was about 90 miles south of her previous range, and nearly across the boundary of Big Bend National Park, when she was killed in a trap. TXM03 travelled southeast, also passing through the Puertacitas Mountains, before turning northeast toward the Glass Mountains, where his collar stopped transmitting.

By continuing to observe the long range movements of mountain lions across the west Texas landscape, we will be able to identify important travel corridors for mountain lions and other species of native wildlife.

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Mountain Lion

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Puma concolor

Status: Threatened

Classification: Mammal

Description

The mountain lion—also known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamount—is a large cat species native to the Americas. Mountain lions are large, tan cats. Their bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest. Black markings decorate the tip of the tail, ears, and around the snout. Mountain lions vary hugely in average body size depending on geographic location—their size is smallest closer to the equator and largest closer to the poles. Generally, though, males weigh between 115 and 220 pounds (52 and 100 kilograms) and females weigh between 64 and 141 pounds (29 and 64 kilograms).

The mountain lion’s range spreads all across the Americas, from the Canadian Yukon to The Strait of Magellan, the greatest of range of any living mammal in the Americas. Mountain lions inhabit a wide range of ecosystems, making their home anywhere there is shelter and prey, including mountains, forests, deserts, and wetlands. They are territorial and have naturally low population densities, which means the species requires large swaths of wilderness habitat to thrive.

Mountain lions are stealthy predators, hunting at night and often lying in wait for prey or silently stalking it before pouncing from behind and delivering a lethal bite to the spinal cord. Typically they prey on deer, but also feed on smaller animals, even insects, when necessary. Like all cats, mountain lions are strict carnivores, and they only rarely consume vegetation.

Life History

Mountain lions can breed year-round. Female mountain lions usually give birth every two years. Litters can range in size from one to six cubs. The young may stay with their mother for as long as 26 months, but usually separate after about 15 months. In the wild, a mountain lion can live up to 10 years. In captivity, they can live up to 21 years.

Conservation

The historic range of the mountain lion included almost all of North and South America. The species was so wide-reaching and populous that it had multiple subspecies that varied based on location. Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, people feared the mountain lion because it posed a risk to their livestock. The species was maliciously hunted and almost eradicated from the eastern United States. Due to conservation efforts, mountain lion populations in the western United States are stable, although far lower than they were historically. While there are still several thousand mountain lions in the wild, their population has significantly decreased from their historical population due to unsustainable hunting, habitat destruction , and conflicts with livestock.

Mountain lions are an "umbrella species" for conservation because their conservation depends on the preservation of large amounts of habitat. A mountain lion usually requires about 13 times as much area as a black bear or 40 times as much area as a bobcat to thrive. By preserving enough wilderness to support a stable mountain lion population, countless other species of plants and animals that share mountain lion habitat benefit.

The eastern cougar, a subspecies of mountain lion, was declared officially extinct by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 2011, although individuals from western populations have been confirmed to wander as far as the East Coast. Florida panthers , the other U.S. subspecies of mountain lion, are listed as critically endangered on the endangered species list. There are less than 160 Florida panthers left in the wild.

Learn more about our work through our Save LA Cougars campaign.

Unlike other large cats, they cannot roar. Instead they growl, shriek, hiss and purr, similar to house cats. Mountain lions are territorial and solitary. They use pheromones and physical signs (like claw markings or feces) to define their territory.

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

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A Trail Runner’s Guide to Mountain-Lion Encounters

A trail runner’s guide to mountain-lion encounters.

Should you worry about being attacked by a mountain lion on your next trail run? No. Definitely not. The odds of winning the Western States 100 cougar trophy are better than being attacked by one. (Mountain lions have more names than whiskers. Some of the most commonly used ones are cougar, puma, and panther.) There have been about 150 documented mountain-lion attacks and about 20 fatalities in the United States and Canada since 1890. Dogs kill more people annually. And, as far as I can tell, only six of the mountain-lion attacks involved runners. Two of these runners were killed.

Now, if you’re a worrier like me and your email and social media have been filled with news of that Colorado trail runner’s attack in February, then your brain has likely translated those statistics to: Runners have been attacked and killed by mountain lions since 1890! Moveover, that’s just documented attacks. How many more haven’t been recorded?

So let’s break down your risk based on where you’re running and racing. And then we can talk about how to mitigate that risk and what to do in the very unlikely event a mountain lion decides you look tastier than anything else around. The goal of this article is to address your parents’ worries that you’ll be attacked by a mountain lion while you’re out trail running–and maybe your concerns too.

I won’t address the mountain lion’s important relationship to the ecosystems they live in, their reduced habitat due to human encroachment, their innate value, or their awesomeness. To read more about that, please check out the resources on the Mountain Lion Foundation’s website.

Oh, and one more thing, this article is focused on North American mountain-lion populations. Mountain lions live in South America, too, where they are usually called puma. They are the same species, but their behaviors around humans are different.

Yep, that’s a mountain lion.

Where Mountain Lions Live

You’re probably more likely to get into the Hardrock 100 –and win it–than to see a mountain lion east of the Mississippi River. There are no mountain lions in Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio , Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, and Prince Edward Island.

In fact, east of the Rocky Mountains, the only breeding mountain-lion populations are in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Florida. That’s not to say there aren’t other mountain lions wandering around east of the Rockies. They’re just few and far between. Take a look at the map below to see how many mountain-lion sightings there were in 2017 outside their established range.

A map showing mountain-lion range in green and mountain-lion sightings outside of their known range in 2017 in grey circles. Image is a screenshot from the Cougar Network’s interactive map .

As a bonus, check out the interactive version of the above map created by the Cougar Network, a non-profit that tracks expanding cougar populations, to see the exact locations of these sightings or to explore data from other years.

Mountain-lion populations are rebounding after being extirpated in the Midwest and eastern United States in the last century. They’re returning to old habitats and, also, populating new areas. This recovery, combined with suburban sprawl, increases the likelihood of sightings and encounters.

A map showing confirmed mountain-lion sightings from 1990 to 2017 outside of their known range. Image: Cougar Network

A chart showing where you should and should not see mountain lions in North America. Image: Liza Howard

What to Do If You Come Face-To-Face with a Mountain Lion

That’s all well and good , you’re thinking, but what should I do in the unlikely event I do come face-to-face with a mountain lion? The answer is simple–at least in theory–don’t act like prey. That’s your goal. Ask yourself, What would a mouse do in a face off with a house cat? Then do the opposite.

A mouse is small. Don’t be small.

I know, I know, trail runners are generally fairly small people.

The author looking small (as usual). Photo: Liza Howard

Instead, make yourself look as big as possible. And if you’re running with a buddy, get close together and seem like an even bigger creature.

The author giving her best impression of big. Photo: Liza Howard

Henry Hobbs (left) and Joe Prusaitis practicing looking bigger together. Photo: Liza Howard

A mouse is quiet. Don’t be quiet.

Yell at the mountain lion. Holler whatever comes to mind. Yelling “mountain lion!” might attract some help as well as scaring the lion off.  But “I am not a mouse!” could work as well as anything if you say it loudly and sternly.

A mouse squeaks in fear. Don’t squeak.

This sounds like easy advice, but I think I’d likely scream in a mouse-like way if I ever rounded a corner on the trail and came face-to-face with a mountain lion.

Even if you come face-to-face with this mountain lion, don’t squeak.

A mouse tries to run to safety. Don’t try to run to safety.

I don’t care how well your training is going, you won’t outrun a mountain lion. Also, anybody who owns a house cat knows how cats love to chase things that are moving away from them. Basically, if you run, it’s game on!

Dr. Paul Beier, who verified and detailed all the fatal and non-fatal mountain lion attacks in the U.S. and Canada between 1890 and 1990, found only one person who had actually escaped by “panicked flight.” “In that case, a 16-year-old boy fled after encountering a cougar at 25 feet. The cougar was gaining ground rapidly when the boy’s boot fell off and the cougar attacked and ate the boot. This story was supported by the presence of boot fragments in the stomach of the cougar when it was shot an hour later.”

So, no running! (Unless you’re running in loose, tasty boots.)

A mouse is defenseless. Don’t be defenseless.

Pick up a big stick and wave it around. Throw rocks at the cat. Mountain lions aren’t looking for a good fight.

Ryan Yedlinsky looking like too much trouble. Photo: Liza Howard

Mice freeze. Don’t freeze. And don’t play dead.

An attack in 1990 in Glacier National Park, Montana, chronicled by Dr. Beier, provides and arresting illustration of the foolishness of playing dead. “A nine-year-old boy said that he had been advised to play dead if he ever encountered a wild animal. When a cougar pounced on him as he was walking out of a lake, he followed this advice. However, the cougar continued to bite him and drag him away until his father kicked gravel at the cougar. The cougar then rushed at his seven-year-old sister; she did not play dead but screamed, causing the cougar to turn and run.”

A house cat playing with a very unfortunate mouse. Photo: Jamain ( CC BY-SA 3.0 )

In fact, don’t turn your back on the mountain lion either. According to the Mountain Lion Foundation, “The best way to ensure that both you and the lion may leave safely is for you to back away slowly while continuing to look as big and intimidating as possible, leaving the lion avenues of escape.”

“You have to assess the situation to know when to start backing away,” says Korinna Domingo, a conservation specialist with the foundation. “You need to establish that you’re not prey before you start backing away, especially if the mountain lion is exhibiting stalking behavior. Basically, the steps are: I see you. I’m not prey. Now I’m backing away.”

What to Do If You’re Attacked by a Mountain Lion

If the mountain lion decides you’re easy prey and attacks, fight back.

I was surprised at all the accounts of people successfully fighting off mountain lions with sticks, rocks, random outdoor gear, and their hands. Tom Chester, Linda Lewis, and Helen McGinnis list the details of most of the attacks since 1890 on their websites . (I’d like to apologize to my husband for reading most of these out loud before bed last night.)

During one attack north of Las Vegas, Nevada in 1991, a female research biologist was saved by her co-workers beating the lion with their cameras.

Travis Kauffman, the Colorado trail runner who was attacked on February 4th of this year, used sticks, rocks, and his hands and feet to save himself from the mountain lion. Travis was on a 12- to 15-mile run that started in Lory State Park outside Fort Collins, Colorado. He ran through Lory into Horsetooth Mountain Park to do some hill training. Shortly after he made it to the top of Towers Road, he heard pine needles rustle behind him. He turned his head and saw a mountain lion about 10 feet away. In an interview with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Travis said his “heart sank into his stomach.” (I bet it did!)

Then, Travis did everything right. He did not act like a mouse. “I threw my arms up and started yelling.” The cat kept approaching anyway. It lunged and latched onto his wrist and clawed at his face. Travis continued to do all the right things. He picked up sticks with his other hands and tried to stab the mountain lion. He aimed for the throat. Unfortunately, the sticks weren’t strong and broke. So Travis grabbed a rock and tried to bash the mountain lion’s head. The cat still had Travis’s left wrist in its mouth, which made it difficult for Travis to hit the cat’s head with much force. Travis eventually got his right leg close to his left wrist and was ultimately able to step on the cat’s neck and suffocate it.

Travis flew down the trail and away from the cat. He ran into another trail runner about two miles down the trail. That runner turned and ran back down the trail with Travis. The two met up with another pair of trail runners, who, along with the first runner, helped get Travis to the hospital and collected his car from the parking lot.

Travis did everything right. He was attacked and he fought back. I asked Lynn Cullins, Executive Director of the Mountain Lion Foundation, about criticism Travis had received because the mountain that attacked him was probably three to four months old and weighted 35 to 40 pounds. She did not equivocate: “If attacked, fight back. People who fight back, live. It’s not appropriate for us to second guess somebody’s behavior in a mountain-lion attack.”

How to Decrease Your Risk of Being Attacked

If you run where mountain lions live, you can decrease the risk of meeting up with one by taking these actions:

• Run with someone – You’re less likely to be attacked, and you’ll have help if you are. Travis Kauffman says he’ll be running with a buddy from here out.
• Make noise, so you don’t surprise the mountain lion – Mountain lions, like bears, hate surprises. Talk to your running buddy while you run. Lynn Cullins suggests clapping as you round blind corners. (Or just keep talking loudly.)
• Be alert and make noise before you squat down to go to the bathroom – You look less like a human and more like prey when you’re squatting. The position also exposes your neck and the back of your head. According to the Mountain Lion Foundation, “[T]his is where a lion will target an attack.”
• Don’t run with unleashed dogs – A frightened or aggressive dog might lead to an encounter rather than prevent one. A mountain lion might chase your dog and your dog might lead the mountain lion back to you.
• Don’t run with earbuds – Travis Kauffman attributes his success at fighting off the mountain lion to not wearing earbuds. “And one of the things I was really glad I did was turn my head [when I heard a noise behind me] and I couldn’t have done that if I had earbuds in.” You need to be aware of the noises in the environment around you when you’re trail running.
• Wear bright, contrasting pieces of clothing that break up your silhouette – According to Lynn Cullins, the less your clothes make your outline look like a deer, the better.
• Carry bear spray – Bear spray works on mountain lions too. But its usefulness depends on how quickly you can access and deploy it. The spray needs to be in front of your body in a quick-access holster or up front on your hydration pack. If you can’t pull it out quickly, it’s useless. If you decide to carry bear spray, practice deploying and spraying an inert training spray canister first. They’re inexpensive and the experience is invaluable.
• Be especially vigilant at dawn and dusk – Mountain lions are more active during conditions of low light.
• Don’t check out dead animals in the brush – (Duh!) This is how mountain lions store their food and they will not take kindly to you fiddling with it.

Three Things to Remember About Trail Running with Mountain Lions

• Your chances of encountering a mountain lion are probably less than getting into Hardrock your first try.
• If you come face-to-face with a mountain lion, don’t act like a mouse.
• If a mountain lion attacks, fight back!

Call for Comments (from Meghan)

• Have you ever seen a mountain lion while trail running or hiking?
• Have you ever had a close encounter with a mountain lion while trail running or hiking? Can you explain what happened?
• If you live where mountain lions do, what precautions if any do you to take to mitigate the risk of an encounter?

Related articles:

• A Trail Runner’s Guide to Sharing the Trail with Wildlife Use this guide to respect and be safe around wild animals while trail running. ...
• A Trail Runner’s Guide to Caring for the Trails Use this guide to take care of the wild places through which you run....
• Run-Ins: Encounters On The Trail A look at those fleeting, random encounters we have when out for a run....

Mountain Lion

Did you know? Cougars can be found in both North and South America

Kingdom : Animalia

Phylum : Chordata 

Class : Mammalia 

Order : Carnivora 

Family : Felidae 

Subfamily : Felinae 

Genus : Puma  

Species : concolor  

Scientific Name : Puma concolor  

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern , but population is decreasing

Habitat : Mountain lions are the widest distributed mammal, ranging from North America to South America. Due to their broad distribution, they are found in a wide variety of habitats such as forests, deserts, and mountains. They tend to prefer rough, rocky terrain with moderately dense, low vegetation. For mountain lions to survive successfully in an area, they have three main requirements: freedom from excessive human interference, dense forest cover for hunting, and adequate prey populations, like large ungulates.

Territoriality : Mountain lions are extremely territorial, males will occupy a territory of about 150 square miles. A male will actively protect his territory by continually walking around the perimeter. If another male comes near, the original male will fight to defend his territory. Females will typically occupy about 50 square miles; they will not actively defend and fight, but they do tend to avoid each other.  One male’s boundaries will usually overlap two to three females’ territories, all for the potential for him to breed with them. As young mountain lions mature, females will generally stay close to their mother, but males will roam further away. To avoid inbreeding, a male may travel up to 100 miles away. 

In the Wild: Up to 10 years

In Captivity: Up to 20 years

Estimated 20,000 – 40,000 in the United States

Physical Description

Weight: 80-200 pounds

Length: 7-8 feet (nose to tail)

Mountain lions are the largest member of the cat family in North America. They vary in size and weight, with males being larger than females. Compared to other wild cat species in North America, mountain lions are much larger than lynx or bobcats and have a long tail that measures one-third of their total body size. Mountain lions have short, coarse fur that can be in two color phases- red and gray. The red phase varies from buff, cinnamon, and tawny to a very reddish color. The gray phase varies from silvery gray to bluish and slate gray. Some parts of their body, such as their muzzle and tip of the tail, are black. Newborn mountain lions are heavily spotted for the first three months of their life, but the spots begin to fade soon after. These spots have usually disappeared by six months of age, but it can vary depending on the cat.   

Mountain lions were once found over most of the Western Hemisphere from Canada to the tip of South America, and from the Pacific to the Atlantic oceans. During the time of European settlement into the United States, mountain lion populations saw an enormous decline.  The early settlers feared the cats and believed they had a negative effect on game populations. By the 1800s, these cats were extirpated or severely reduced in the eastern U.S due to the human population increase. Because of this increase, mountain lion habitats declined, and their primary source of food, whitetail deer, saw a significant loss. In the western U.S, mountain lion populations were lowered by the 1900s. By the late 1960s, mountain lions were given game-mammal status in many states, leading to a broader range of population management and programs. After this was enacted, their populations began steadily increasing in numbers. 

Today’s mountain lion population only exists in a fraction of their historic range. While they may not be as populous as they once were, mountain lions can survive in an incredibly diverse array of ecosystems. They currently span 28 countries in North, Central, and South America. Fifteen western states and Florida actively acknowledge breeding populations, while many other states have occasional sightings of the species. 

Reproduction

Gestation: 90 days

Litter size: 1 to 4 (2 to 3 average)

Mountain lions are capable of breeding at any time during the year, but most give birth between April and July, following a three month gestation period. During the breeding season, the infamous scream of the female mountain lion may be heard; this scream is used to attract males. When it is time to give birth, females will find a den in a secure location. An average of 2-3 young, called kittens, are born and rely solely on the mother. She will defend them against males who may try to kill them. Kittens will nurse exclusively for two months; then they will accompany their mother on hunting trips to learn.  Young mountain lions stay with the mom for two years. After this time, young males will travel hundreds of miles away to find a new territory. 

Diet and Hunting Behaviors

A mountain lion is an obligate carnivore, meaning they solely eat meat. Deer are their primary prey, but they are not limited only to deer. They will prey on other ungulates such as elk, moose, and sheep, as well as smaller mammals such as rabbits, porcupines, and skunks. In places where human development has taken over mountain lion habitat, the cats have been known to prey on livestock, domestic horses, dogs, and cats. 

Mountain lions are known as ambush hunters who will wait patiently in dense vegetation or rock crevices. Once their prey has walked by, the cat will silently stalk behind, which results in a quick, surprise attack. They will kill with a powerful bite below the base of the skull, usually breaking the neck. Once their prey is dead, mountain lions will drag the carcass to a sheltered spot, eating 20 to 30 pounds in one sitting. Once they are full, they will bury it under dirt, leaves, or snow to return to later.    

Mountain lions used to roam nearly all of the United States. After becoming a highly sought after hunting trophy and a history of attacking livestock, they were persecuted by both hunters and farmers. By the 1900s, mountain lions were eliminated from nearly all of their range in the Midwest and Eastern United States. Because they exist across the country, some in small, isolated populations, all mountain lions face threats such as trophy hunting, poisoning, predator control, and habitat loss. 

Today, mountain lions are found primarily in the western part of the United States, but have been seen in more eastern states such as Missouri and Arkansas. In 2011, a subspecies of mountain lion, the eastern cougar, was declared officially extinct by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Florida panthers, another subspecies in the United States, is listed as critically endangered as there are only an estimated 120-230 combined juveniles and adults remaining. Efforts to preserve the species were officially created in the 1960s, but people are not always eager to help predator populations recover. 

Due to the mountain lion’s ability to travel long distances, the cats occasionally wander into areas that may seem inappropriate, including places densely settled by humans. Even though their appearances are almost always extremely brief, public panic can lead to the pursuit of the animal. 

For people who live in or around wildlife habitats, mountain lion sightings and attacks on pets or livestock may occur. Attacks by mountain lions are rare, but there are ways to prevent them from occurring. If you have any questions or concerns about wildlife in your area, contact your local wildlife management officers. 

The conservation of mountain lions depends on the preservation of large amounts of habitat. They require about 13 times as much area as a black bear or 40 times as much as a bobcat to thrive. By preserving enough wilderness to support a stable mountain lion population, countless other species of plants and animals can benefit. 

Mountain Lion Safety

• Keep your distance, and take this rare encounter very seriously. DO NOT approach the cat 
• Seem as large as possible, pick up small children, leash pets, and stand close to those around you. Open your jacket and raise your arms, and wave them slowly.
• Make loud noises that do not sound like a prey animal, such as banging your water bottle or walking stick. Speak slowly and loudly to disrupt the mountain lion’s hunting instincts. 
• Do not act afraid, act defiant by maintaining eye contact, and DO NOT run away. DO NOT bend over or crouch down. Throw stones or branches and aggressively wave your arms. 
• Slowly create distance and assess which direction to take. Without turning your back to the mountain lion, do not move towards kittens or prey. Give the lion the time and space to get away from you. 
• Protect yourself if the mountain lion is to attack you. Protect your neck and throat by using rocks, jackets, garden tools, tree branches, but do not give up.

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10 Interesting Facts About Mountain Lions

Mountain Lions are solitary and elusive creatures, they prefer to remain hidden and unseen. Because these wild cats of North America can sometimes live near our own backyards, we obviously have some questions. So in this article we’ll answer some of those common cougar questions, and learn some cool facts about Mountain Lions.

10 interesting facts about Mountain Lions

1. are cougars and mountain lions the same.

Yes, they are! The terms Mountain Lion and Cougar are interchangeable and refer to the same animal and species ( Puma concolor ). In fact the names Puma, Panther, Painter, Mexican Lion, and Catamount, in addition to Mountain Lion and Cougar, are all different names for the same species.

And there are more names beyond that! Because of their historic wide distribution, each region came up with their own names for these big cats, no wonder they are known as “the cat of many names”.

2. Are mountain lion attacks common?

Mountain lion attacks on humans are considered rare. They are very solitary creatures who prefer to pass by unseen. Even when living alongside humans, they rarely make their presence known. It is thought this is in part because they are not habituated to humans, and do not see them as prey.

This may begin to change as humans continue to move into their habitat, and it will be inevitable the number of encounters will increase. But cougars do not usually attack unless they feel cornered, or if someone running away from them triggers a chase response.

As housing and development expands further into their prime territories, these encounters will inevitably increase. Attacks and fatalities are still very rare, so take some comfort in that!

3. When are mountain lions most active?

Mountain lions are considered to be both crepuscular and nocturnal. Crepuscular means they like the early dawn and late twilight hours, and nocturnal means they are also active at night. They can certainly be seen during the day, but dawn, dusk and night is when they are most active.

4. Where do mountain lions sleep?

You might be thinking cougar retreat to a “home base” cave or a den for sleeping, but this is not the case. Most of the time they are always on the move around their territory, and cougars will just find a suitably sheltered spot to sleep .

Unless they have a large carcass they are feeding on over multiple days or the female is having kittens, mountain lions don’t tend to stay in one spot for more than a few days.

5. How long do mountain lions live?

The average life span in the wild is ten years. However in captivity, with no threat of hunting, starvation or many other typical dangers, mountain lions can live 20 plus years .

6. What sounds do mountain lions make?

Unlike other “big cats”, mountain lions do not have the ability to roar. They do not possess the same larynx and hyoid apparatus of the other big cat species that gives them this ability.

However mountain lions can make other sounds you may associate with cats such as hissing, growling, chirps and purrs. Mountain lions are also known for their eery “screaming” which occurs during mating.

7. What is an “umbrella species”?

Umbrella species is a term sometimes used in the world of environmental conservation. It refers to a species who’s protection inadvertently benefits many other species. Mountain lions are often considered umbrella species because of the large amounts of open habitat and wilderness they require to thrive.

For example they need almost 13 times the amount of area a black bear needs, or 40 times what a bobcat needs. So by protection cougars and creating legislation to preserve habit for them, it also has the potential to benefit many other animals species.

8. Can mountain lions jump?

Mountain lions actually have the largest hind legs (proportionally) of all the members of the cat family. This makes cougars great jumpers, able to leap from the ground 18 feet up into a tree. Their large hind legs also make them excellent at sprinting for short distances.

9. What do mountain lion tracks look like?

Adult cougar paw-prints are about 4-5 inches across for males, and <3.5 inches for females. Their heel pad is in a bit of an “M” shape at the bottom with a divot on top. Both front and back paws have four “tear drop” shaped toes, with one leading toe that is slightly higher than the others.

Typically their tracks do not show any claw marks, unlike tracks of dogs or coyotes. They usually keep their claws retracted unless they are maneuvering on difficult terrain.

10. How far do mountain lions roam?

On average, males have a home range covering from 50-150 square miles. Females have slightly smaller ranges of about 50 square miles. The males range may overlap with about 3-4 females, but no other males.

Females have less of a problem with their ranges overlapping with other females, while males do not want another male in their range. Often young female cougars will choose a territory next to the one in which they were born, where young males may travel very far to establish their own area.

Males have been occasionally spotted in many states of the east, who traveled there from the west. The famous “Connecticut mountain lion” traveled 1500 miles from South Dakota, the furthest trek currently recorded.

While this isn’t the norm, it is becoming slightly more common as mountain lions are striking out further east in search of territory.

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The trains and stations of the Moscow Metro

2 Comments · Posted by Alex Smirnov in Cities , Travel , Video

The Moscow Metro is the third most intensive subway system in the world after Tokyo and Seoul subways. The first line was opened on May 15, 1935. Since 1955, the metro has the name of V.I. Lenin.

The system consists of 12 lines with a total length of 305.7 km. Forty four stations are recognized cultural heritage. The largest passenger traffic is in rush hours from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 19:00.

Cellular communication is available on most of the stations of the Moscow Metro. In March 2012, a free Wi-Fi appeared in the Circle Line train. The Moscow Metro is open to passengers from 5:20 to 01:00. The average interval between trains is 2.5 minutes.

The fare is paid by using contactless tickets and contactless smart cards, the passes to the stations are controlled by automatic turnstiles. Ticket offices and ticket vending machines can be found in station vestibules.

Tags:  Moscow city

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Tomás · August 27, 2012 at 11:34 pm

The Moscow metro stations are the best That I know, cars do not.

Alberto Calvo · September 25, 2016 at 8:57 pm

Great videos! Moscow Metro is just spectacular. I actually visited Moscow myself quite recently and wrote a post about my top 7 stations, please check it out and let me know what you think! :)

http://www.arwtravels.com/blog/moscow-metro-top-7-stations-you-cant-miss

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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