Two mountain lion sightings were reported near Woodside within 12 hours of each other on Friday night and this morning, San Mateo County officials said.

The sightings were reported at 9 p.m. Friday on Skyline Drive and at 7 a.m. today near Cedar Lane and Mountain Home Road, officials said.

Sheriff's deputies responded to today's sighting, but the mountain lion was gone by the time they arrived.

The state Department of Fish and Game was also notified of the sighting.

Anyone who sees a mountain lion is advised not to approach it and to pick up small children.

If confronted by the lion, it's best to face the animal, make noise, try to look bigger, and throw rocks or other objects to scare it off, officials said.

The county also recommends preventing encounters by keeping a close watch on small children and avoiding hiking or jogging at dawn, dusk and night.