Do mountain lions retract their claws?

No, mountain lions (also known as cougars or pumas) do not retract their claws. They are semi-retractable, meaning that they can partially retract their claws but not fully.

Here's why:

* Sharpness: Fully retracting claws would make them less sharp for hunting and climbing.

* Walking: Semi-retraction allows them to walk silently on soft terrain.

* Climbing: Semi-retractable claws provide excellent traction when climbing trees.

So, while their claws aren't as fully retractible as a cat's, they are still very sharp and effective for hunting and navigating their environment.