Baby mountain lions try to scare scientists away by purring
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I am lion, hear me …purr.
Biologists exploring the Santa Monica Mountains in California encountered two impawssibly cute newborn mountain lions who may have attempted to let out a roar, but instead let out adorable purrs, hisses and growls.
“Turn up the volume — it’s the weekend! And we literally want you to turn up the volume — for real,” read a caption of a video that was posted on the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Facebook page on August 4.
“The vocalizations from these mountain lion kittens are rad,” the post continued.
The cats’ names are far from mane-stream and are less adorable than the baby mountain lions themselves.
The post explained that one of the cats is female, named P-116, and the other is male, named P-117, and they are approximately 24 days old.
Biologists were able to enter the den while the small cats’ mom was out hunting for food. The post explained that researchers study the health of mountain lions in the area and track their movements.
“Since 2002, the National Park Service has been studying mountain lions in and around the Santa Monica Mountains to determine how they survive in a fragmented and urbanized environment,” they wrote.
Commenters on the video expressed their affection for the tiny cats and their fierce spirits.
“[Good] to see the babies are still hissing mad! Love these beautiful things,” someone wrote.
“Omg I want to cuddle!! Stay safe little ones!!! Hang in there and the wildlife crossing will be done!!” said another.
“So cute one purrs & one hisses. One spotted & one striped,” wrote a third.
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