Photographers have been scouting the National Elk Refuge in Teton County, Wyoming, hoping for a rare chance to catch a glimpse of the mountain lions that have been spotted sporadically in recent weeks.
Can you spot the mountain lion in the accompanying photo taken by Jackson Hole Ecotours Adventures guide Billy Fabian? (The answer is in the video posted below.)
Mountain lion peeks from hiding.
This is not a difficult test. But the images captured by Fabian reveal how a mountain lion or cougar blends into its surroundings, and how cautiously the cats move.
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Mountain lions are solitary hunters, preying primarily on mule deer and elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, although their diet also includes smaller mammals.
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They prefer rocky terrain and forested areas that provide cover from predators such as wolves and bears. (Cougars store prey to attract other predators.)
Such sightings are rare in the greater Yellowstone region, which includes the National Elk Refuge and the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks to the north.
This article originally appeared in For The Win: Can you spot a mountain lion hiding near Grand Teton National Park?
