What Was That Noise? Just a Lion Taking Down an Elk on Back Porch

Let's face it. We are all a little scared of things that go "bump in the night." It has been in our DNA since humans lived in caves. We have been programmed to fear strange noises and shadows as a form of self-preservation. If you are scared of the unexplained noise, chances are, you won't go in that direction. This fear has been with us for thousands of years.

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Modern-day humans have certain comforts. We feel a little more secure in our houses, rather than in a cave. We can investigate things at night, using light instead of fire. We can also protect ourselves better with modern weapons. But, that fear still lingers, especially when you live in an area surrounded by predators.

Just recently, a man in Colorado was woken up by loud noises on his back porch. When he flipped on the porch light, he discovered a scene straight out of a nature film. An adult mountain lion had managed to take down an elk. But the struggle between the two beasts ended with the elk dying on the back porch. Peering through the window, the man captured footage of the mountain lion attempting to eat his late-night meal.

Have you ever wondered why mountain lions are so active in winter and why they don't hibernate like bears?

According to NPS.gov

Mountain Lions are most active in the winter because snow offers them several advantages over their prey. Large paws help Mountain Lions sprint over deep snow that deer or elk flounder in. Lacking a strong sense of smell, Mountain Lions have difficulty tracking prey in the summertime, so instead they wait in ambush for prey to come to them.

So, make sure to bring more than a flashlight and snowboots, next time you investigate that weird sound in your backyard. It may just be a big kitty looking for a snack.

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