The Differences Between a Puma, a Cougar and a Mountain Lion

The big cats of the forests and mountains of North America and beyond are subjects of fascination and awe to many people. These large creatures are part of Felidae family. Although they have different names pumas, cougars and mountain lions all refer to the Puma concolor species, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

  1. Habitat

    • The Puma concolor species can be found all over the Americas. In North America, they're typically called cougars and mountain lions; in Spanish-speaking South America, they go by the name puma. Within the U.S., cougars make their home in Florida, the Northeast and the Western states, where the majority are found. Their natural habitat is under threat from human encroachment.

    Diet

    • The cougar is carnivorous and feeds on small and large animals. It consumes insects, mice, rabbits, deer and elk. The animal is a formidable hunter, stalking its prey stealthily before ambushing. It will break its prey's neck with the force of its body or deliver an incapacitating neck bite.

    Lifestyle

    • Cougars are independent, solitary creatures. They tend to live alone rather than with other members of their species and are known to travel over large areas. Cubs live with their mother (male cougars are not involved in caring for cubs) and set off on their own at about six months. The lifespan of the species is 8 to 12 years.

    Risk to Humans

    • The cougar is occasionally responsible for human injury or death, but it's a rare occurrence. Residential expansion heightens the risk as it brings human and cougar habitats closer together. Cougars are responsible for a significant amount of livestock loss, which they may prey on for food.