In a confrontation with a mountain lion, what is the best action to take?

When confronted by a mountain lion, the best action to take is to raise your arms and make yourself appear as large as possible. This strategy is effective because it can intimidate the mountain lion and signal that you are not an easy target. Making yourself look larger than you are may cause the lion to hesitate or back off, as it perceives you as a potential threat rather than prey.

This approach is grounded in the behavioral responses of wild animals, as they often assess situations based on perceived risk. By exhibiting confidence and size, you can alter the dynamics of the encounter.

In contrast, running away or lying down to play dead may trigger the mountain lion's instinct to chase, as running can signify prey, while playing dead may not deter an opportunistic predator. Throwing rocks might provoke an aggressive response rather than discourage the animal, as it could escalate the situation. Keeping calm and assertive while maintaining eye contact with the mountain lion is the recommended method to navigate such a dangerous encounter.