Scat (Droppings)
Leopard Scat
Size and shape:
- It's typically about 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter and 10 to 15 cm long.
- One end is usually rounded, and the other ends in a pointy twirl.
Contents:
- Contains large quantities of hair, bone fragments, teeth, quills, hooves, and footpads from prey.
Location:
Leopards mark their territories by leaving their droppings in prominent p
Size and shape:
- It's typically about 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter and 10 to 15 cm long.
- One end is usually rounded, and the other ends in a pointy twirl.
Contents:
- Contains large quantities of hair, bone fragments, teeth, quills, hooves, and footpads from prey.
Location:
Leopards mark their territories by leaving their droppings in prominent places, such as on top of low bushes or grass tufts along trails.
Puma Scat
Size and shape:
- 5 inches and as long as 9.5 inches. A mountain lion’s scat is also up to 1 inch wide (or more)
- The end of the scat may be blunt or pointy like a tail.
Contents:
- Hair and bits of bone may give the scat a white coloration
- Puma scat contains meat remains, but no fruit or berry seeds
Location:
Puma scat can be found in a vari
Size and shape:
- 5 inches and as long as 9.5 inches. A mountain lion’s scat is also up to 1 inch wide (or more)
- The end of the scat may be blunt or pointy like a tail.
Contents:
- Hair and bits of bone may give the scat a white coloration
- Puma scat contains meat remains, but no fruit or berry seeds
Location:
Puma scat can be found in a variety of places, including on trails, near scrapes, in caves, and under overhangs. Pumas are known to mark their territories with their scat.
Lynx Scat
Lynx Scat
Size and shape:
- Lynx scat can be 2–3 cm in diameter and 3–5 cm in length
- Lynx scat is often segmented and cylindrical, with blunt ends
Contents:
- Lynx scat may contain hair from prey, such as ungulates or dormouse
- Lynx scat may contain bone fragments from prey
Location:
- Lynx tend to hide their scat, similar to domestic cats
- Look for scat i
Size and shape:
- Lynx scat can be 2–3 cm in diameter and 3–5 cm in length
- Lynx scat is often segmented and cylindrical, with blunt ends
Contents:
- Lynx scat may contain hair from prey, such as ungulates or dormouse
- Lynx scat may contain bone fragments from prey
Location:
- Lynx tend to hide their scat, similar to domestic cats
- Look for scat in heaps of snow/grass along lynx tracks or heaps of leaves around kills sites
Pug Marks
Kill Sites & Prey Remains
Scratch/Claw Marks
Pugmarks from big cats share many similarities with those of dogs. Both have four toes and a large main pad, which can sometimes make identification tricky. However, there are key differences that help distinguish between the two.
One of the most notable features of big cat pugmarks is the shape of the main pad, which typically has a distinct three-lobed rear edge. Additionally, cats have a leading toe—one toe that sits slightly ahead of the others—whereas dog tracks tend to be more symmetrical. Another important distinction is claw marks: big cats usually retract their claws while walking, so their prints rarely show claw impressions, unlike dogs.
Learn more in our Pugmark guide
Scratch/Claw Marks
Kill Sites & Prey Remains
Scratch/Claw Marks
Big cats scratch trees as a form of territorial marking, communication, and claw maintenance. The deep claw marks serve as visual and scent signals to other cats, warning rivals to stay away or attracting potential mates. As they scratch, scent glands in their paws leave behind chemical markers that convey their presence and status. This behavior also helps sharpen and clean their claws by removing old, worn-out layers, ensuring they remain sharp for hunting and defense. Additionally, scratching can be a way for big cats to stretch their muscles and relieve stress. This instinctive behavior is common among species like tigers, leopards, and cougars, reinforcing their dominance and presence in the wild.
Kill Sites & Prey Remains
Kill Sites & Prey Remains
Kill Sites & Prey Remains
A big cat kill site is often marked by partially consumed prey remains, usually hidden under leaves, grass, or dirt to protect it from scavengers. The carcass may show puncture wounds on the neck or skull, as big cats typically kill by suffocation or a precise bite to the spine. Unlike pack hunters that tear prey apart immediately, big cats tend to leave a cleaner kill with minimal scattered remains. Drag marks may be visible, leading from the kill spot to a more secluded area where the cat feeds. Often, only the softer parts—like the internal organs—are eaten first, and the rest may be left for later. Claw marks, fur, or broken vegetation around the site can also indicate a struggle, confirming the presence of a powerful feline predator.
Eye Shine
Eye Shine
Eye Shine
Big cats' eyes shine yellow or green at night due to a specialized layer behind their retinas called the tapetum lucidum, which enhances their night vision. This reflective layer bounces light back through the retina, giving their photoreceptor cells a second chance to absorb it, significantly improving their ability to see in low-light
Big cats' eyes shine yellow or green at night due to a specialized layer behind their retinas called the tapetum lucidum, which enhances their night vision. This reflective layer bounces light back through the retina, giving their photoreceptor cells a second chance to absorb it, significantly improving their ability to see in low-light conditions. The color of the eye shine varies depending on the species, age, and angle of light reflection, often appearing yellow, green, or even bluish in some cases. This adaptation makes big cats highly effective nocturnal hunters, allowing them to detect movement and stalk prey in near-total darkness. The glowing effect, known as eyeshine, is a common trait among nocturnal predators and helps them dominate their nighttime environments.
Smell
Eye Shine
Eye Shine
When a big cat has been nearby, the surrounding area may carry a distinctive musky odor, often described as strong, pungent, and slightly sweet. This scent comes from territorial markings left by the cat’s scent glands, urine, or scat, which they use to communicate with other cats and establish dominance over an area. The smell of a fres
When a big cat has been nearby, the surrounding area may carry a distinctive musky odor, often described as strong, pungent, and slightly sweet. This scent comes from territorial markings left by the cat’s scent glands, urine, or scat, which they use to communicate with other cats and establish dominance over an area. The smell of a fresh kill may also linger, with the scent of blood, decomposing flesh, or torn vegetation filling the air. In areas where a big cat has rested, there may be a faint, wild animal musk mixed with the earthy scent of disturbed soil and crushed plants. If a carcass has been stashed nearby, the scent can become overwhelming, especially as it begins to decay, attracting scavengers and signaling the presence of a hidden predator.
Wildlife
Eye Shine
Wildlife
When a big cat is in the area, the surrounding wildlife becomes tense and alert, their instincts tuned to the presence of a top predator. Birds may suddenly fall silent or erupt in alarm calls, warning others of the lurking danger. Deer and other prey animals freeze, ears twitching and nostrils flaring as they scent the air, ready to bol
When a big cat is in the area, the surrounding wildlife becomes tense and alert, their instincts tuned to the presence of a top predator. Birds may suddenly fall silent or erupt in alarm calls, warning others of the lurking danger. Deer and other prey animals freeze, ears twitching and nostrils flaring as they scent the air, ready to bolt at the slightest movement. Livestock, if present, may huddle together or refuse to move into certain areas where the cat’s scent lingers. Even other predators, like foxes or badgers, become cautious, slinking away to avoid a confrontation. The entire ecosystem shifts into a state of heightened awareness, as the mere presence of a big cat sends ripples of fear through the landscape.