The predators hold a favored place in the esteem of most naturalists. At first, sympathy for the weak and indignation against the strong are perfectly natural human feelings. As the necessity for control and the wonderful way in which Nature attains a balance becomes apparent, the role of the predator becomes more and more appreciated by the student. Mountain lion _Felis concolor_ (Latin: a cat of the same color; referring no doubt to the smooth blending of the body coloration) Range: At present, mostly confined to the western United States and Canada, and all of Mexico south to the southern tip of South America. There are a number of mountain lions in Florida, and persistent reports indicate that they may be making a comeback in a number of other Eastern States. [Illustration: Habitat map] Habitat: As the range indicates, habitats vary widely. Mountain lions in the Southwest show a preference for rimrock country in the Transition Life Zone or higher, but they are often seen in all the life zones. Description: A huge, tawny cat with long, heavy tail. The long tail is a field mark identifying the young, which, having a spotted coat, otherwise resemble young bobcats to some degree. Total length 72 to 90 inches. Tail 30 to 36 inches. Weight 80 to 200 pounds. Color may vary from tawny gray to brownish red over most of the body, the underparts being lighter. The head and ears appear small in proportion to the lean muscular body. The teeth are large, the canines being especially massive. Like most members of the cat family, the mountain lion has large feet with long, sharp claws. The tracks show the imprint of four toes together with a large pad in the center of the foot. The young may be born at any time of the year. Only one litter is born every 2 to 3 years, and the average number of young is three. Probably no species of mammal in the New World equals the mountain lion in farflung distribution. From the Yukon to Patagonia, this elusive carnivore can still be found in considerable numbers in spite of aggressive campaigns against it. In the United States, it is the chief representative of the wild cats, a group noted for fierce and predacious habits. Fortunate indeed is the person who sees one of these great felines in the wild. This may not be as difficult as one might imagine because mountain lions often travel through comparatively well settled areas. It is especially possible in the Southwest, for the four-State area covered by this book contains the heaviest population of mountain lions in the United States. However, the comparative abundance of this carnivore has not resulted in a better understanding of it. The mountain lion is still one of the least known and most maligned creatures of our times. [Illustration: mountain lion]