It’s funny how things turn against us in a survival situation. Suddenly, problems that appear unthinkable or insignificant grow to be too likely and too urgent, while most of our on a regular basis problems shrink and stop to exist.
One such problem that may grow to be a really real problem when you survive within the wild is being attacked and eaten by a mountain lion.
North America’s largest and most dangerous cat rarely interacts with humans, but attacks do occur and a few humans are eaten.
What is feasible to show the tables on these big cats again? If you were forced, could you kill and eat a mountain lion in a survival situation?
Yes, you possibly can absolutely eat a mountain lion. As long as their meat is correctly prepared and thoroughly cooked, the mountain lion may be very nutritious.
I do know this concept sounds doubly crazy to most of us because, first, mountain lions will not be an endangered species, and likewise because Americans generally don’t eat cats, even the large, deadly ones.
However, you’ll have to get used to the concept of eating all types of unusual animals during a survival situation, and you mustn’t hand over an excellent mountain lion steak when you’re short on food.
Read on and we’ll inform you the whole lot it’s essential to know.
Where do mountain lions live?
Mountain lions are one of the vital widespread cats within the Western Hemisphere, but also they are one of the vital elusive.
These stealthy creatures will be found from Canada to the southern tip of Chile. In North America, they’re mostly present in the western United States and Canada, although they’ve been sighted as far east because the Carolinas.
Like most large animals, their historical ranges and populations were much larger, and today they’re only a tiny fraction of that.
Mountain lions are loners, so that they roam vast areas in the hunt for food.
They are champions and will be present in many alternative ecosystems including forests, grasslands, swamps and even deserts in the hunt for food. Their eating regimen consists mainly of deer, moose and goats, so that they will be found wherever there are wild populations of those animals.
For this reason, it is often essential to concentrate to your surroundings when mountain climbing, hunting, or camping in mountain lion territory.
Nutrition Facts About Mountain Lion Meat
Mountain lion meat, contrary to traditional belief, is very nutritious and secure when properly cooked.
It is high in protein and low in fat, making it a great food in a survival situation. It also comprises large amounts of iron, potassium and vitamins A and E.
What does mountain lion meat taste like?
Mountain lion meat, while not by any means popular or available, is alleged to taste very just like thick, barely bland pork.
It is price noting that it is never described as wild or strange, despite the normal wisdom of previous generations.
Long considered “junk meat” by hunters, I’m glad to report that instances of this claim are probably as a consequence of improper processing or cooking, relatively than an absence of quality within the meat itself.
Like many wild animals, as a consequence of its low fat content, it might probably be quite tough and dry if not cooked properly.
The best approach to cook mountain lion meat is to cook it slowly or braise it and keep it moist with fat, broth or other liquids.
Is it fit for human consumption mountain lion meat when it’s raw?
NO! Mountain lion meat should be thoroughly cooked to be secure. Mountain lions are hosts of varied germs and parasites that will be transmitted to humans through their meat.
Among the numerous diseases you possibly can catch from eating raw or undercooked mountain lion meat are:
Toxoplasmosis – a disease attributable to a single-cell parasite that may result in severe brain damage or death in young children or unborn babies
Trichinosis – attributable to a parasitic worm that may infect the muscles and cause muscle pain, fever and vomiting. Complications from the nervous system will not be excluded.
E. coli – a typical and potentially fatal foodborne disease attributable to bacteria present in the gut of many animals.
In short, eating raw or undercooked mountain lion meat just isn’t advisable. It is crucial to cook it to a relentless temperature of a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any harmful bacteria and other bugs.
Can you eat mountain lion skin?
You can, nevertheless it just isn’t advisable: it is vitally tough and never very tasty, and it should be quite a task to scrub the skin of its fur.
Save your effort and energy for the rewards of meat, which you’ll have in abundance when you hunt a mountain lion.
Can you eat mountain lion bones?
No, although you possibly can get sustenance from the marrow. First, people shouldn’t eat bones – they’re too hard for our weak teeth and jaws, pose a choking hazard, and might hurt our insides when you break them.
That said, know that the marrow contained in the bones of enormous animals like mountain lions is filled with nutrients like fat and protein that may also help keep you alive and even bulk up other foods, especially stews and soups.
To get to the marrow, you possibly can crack or split the bones with various tools and even a big stone. Then you possibly can cook the marrow in some ways or use it as an ingredient.
Can you eat mountain lion organs?
Yes, but be extra careful. Many organs of untamed animals, especially the liver, can store large amounts of poisons reminiscent of mercury and other metals.
These toxins can potentially make you very sick and even kill if ingested in large enough amounts.
Some organs, reminiscent of the guts and kidneys, are generally well-nourished and secure (although the kidneys are likely to have a really acquired taste).
Other organs, reminiscent of the stomach and intestines, could also be fit for human consumption, but require careful and thorough cleansing after which proper cooking to make them palatable.
Improper cleansing of the digestive organs can easily result in contracting the disease.
