The cougar (Puma Concolor), also known as the mountain lion or the puma or the panther or the catamount, is the biggest cat in Nortamerica. Like the other Felines is a carnivourous mammal member of the Feliformia suborder.
The main picture is a photo that I took at Falconara's zoo.
Where does the cougar?
Map link: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puma_concolor#/media/File:Puma_area.png
The cougar lives mainly in North America, more precisely it is distributed from Canada to the western part of North America.
The cougar is also widespread in South America from Brazil to Patagonia.
The cougar is present in numerous habitats: from the coldest environments such as coniferous forests and high mountain areas up to 4000 meters of altitude. It also populates the tropical forests of South America, the deserts of Arizona and the plains.
Based on the continents where it is distributed, there are 2 subspecies of pumas:
- Puma Concolor Concolor, or the South American puma.
- Puma Concolor Cougar, or the puma of North America and Central America.
How big is the cougar?
Picture link: https://www.dimensions.com/element/cougar
As already mentioned, the cougar is the largest feline in North America. However, sizes change by gender:
- Males are 60-70 centimeters tall, can reach lengths of 2.75 meters (including all) and weigh 67-103 kilograms.
- Females are the same height, can reach a length of 2.32 meters (including tail) and weigh 36-60 kilograms.
What makes the cougar unique?
The reason why the puma is also called "mountain lion" is because of the color of the fur which is light brown on the back and sides, while it has a lighter coloration in the belly and the tip of the tail is black.
With the exception of the coat, the cougar has very little in common with the lion:
- As already mentioned above, the cougar lives in the most different habitats from the mountains of the United States of America to the swamps of Florida while the lions live only in the warmest habitats such as savannahs and deserts.
- In the cougar there is a sexual dimorphism characterized only by the larger size of the males compared to the females; this feature is also present in lions. However, their sexual dimorphism is also characterized by the mane in males.
- Lions have a massive build which gives them great strength. The cougar is small in size but is very agile and fast.
- Due to their lack of agility, lions rarely climb trees. Conversely, the cougar is a skilled climber and uses trees for both rest and hunting.
- Lions don't purr. The cougar can purr.
The light brown color is present only in the adult specimens. The cubs have a gray coloration with black spots.
Another characteristic that the puma has in common with the lion is the lack of passion for water. However, they are both able to swim and cross streams and ponds if they have to pursue prey.
Is the cougar a social or a solitary animal?
The cougar is an exclusively solitary animal. Males and females meet only during mating which takes place at any time of the year. From their union and after a gestation period of 90-95 days, 2-3 cubs are born which are weaned after 5 months.
In Patagonia, cougars often share the prey captured by other cougars, but it is only the male who owns the territory, which overlaps that of the females.
What does the cougar eat?
The North American cougar hunts a wide variety of prey:
- Mule deer.
- Wapiti.
- Moose.
- Beavers.
- Squirrels.
- Porcupines.
- Raccoons.
- Hares.
- Rabbits.
- Birds.
- Skunks.
- Domestic livestock.
The South American puma feeds on:
- Guanacos.
- Monkeys.
- Brockets.
- Birds.
Who are the cougar's natural enemies?
North American cougars often clash over food and territory with:
- Gray Wolves.
- Grizzly bears.
- Black bears.
- Wolverines.
- Coyotes.
South American cougars rarely clash with jaguars for food and territory.
The animals listed above are also a threat to puppies.
What's the relationship between cougar and humans?
Currently the cougar is not an endangered species. However, the cougar in Florida is an endangered animal due to hunting and habitat destruction.
The cougar was often hunted for its fur and because it was considered harmful to livestock and human populations. However, the cougar very rarely attacks humans and most of the time avoids them.
The cougar is not always considered a threat: Native Americans often use this feline as a symbol of strength, loyalty and courage.
This is a photo that I took at Falconara's zoo.
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