This cougar's diet might surprise you

Researchers in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, have been studying the predation habits of a GPS-collared mountain lion and the results are somewhat surprising.

The mountain lion, a male nicknamed Brokenleg because he had overcome a serious injury, was closely monitored during a 15-month period in which he seemed to favor badgers.

“Let’s just say you wouldn’t want to be a badger around him,” the Pueblo of Santa Ana Department of Natural Resources stated on Facebook.

The study, conducted on tribal land in the Rio Grande valley, found that Brokenleg consumed at least 24 badgers during the study period.

Mountain lions are opportunistic, but large ungulates such as deer or elk typically comprise the bulk of their diet.

Brokenleg consumed 17 elk during the study period. Nine were calves, two were bulls, and the rest were cows.

The cougar also preyed on nine coyotes, eight beavers, two pronghorn, two mule deer, two porcupines, one rabbit, one raccoon, one feral dog, and a mouflon sheep.

“The mouflon sheep was a surprise, and we assume it was one of the two rams that were previously reported in the Placitas area,” the DNR stated.

In all, Brokenleg preyed on at least 68 animals and 11 types of animals during the 15-month period.

–Image showing Brokenleg and his predation chart are courtesy of the Pueblo of Santa Ana Department of Natural Resources. Badger image via Wikimedia Commons

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