Scientific Name: Puma concolor
Physical Characteristics:
- Cougars are also known as mountain lions, pumas, and catamounts.
- They have a muscular body with tawny or grayish-brown fur.
- On average, cougars measure 5-8 feet in length, including their tail, and weigh between 100 and 200 pounds.
- Cougars have sharp retractable claws and powerful jaws.
Habitat:
- Cougars are widely distributed in the Americas, ranging from Canada to South America.
- They prefer habitats with dense vegetation and rocky terrain, including forests, mountains, and canyons.
- Cougars can adapt to various environments and are found from sea level to high elevations.
Diet:
- Cougars are carnivores and opportunistic predators.
- They primarily hunt deer, elk, moose, and other large ungulates.
- Cougars also prey on smaller animals such as rabbits, hares, and rodents.
- They are ambush predators and usually attack their prey from a concealed position.
Behavior:
- Cougars are solitary animals and live in large territories.
- They mark their territory with urine, scratches on trees, and vocalizations.
- Cougars are primarily active during dawn and dusk, although they can be active at any time.
- They are skilled climbers and can scale trees with ease.
Conservation Status:
- Cougars were once widely distributed but faced significant population declines due to hunting and habitat loss.
- Today, they are listed as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- However, some regional populations are considered threatened or endangered due to habitat fragmentation and conflicts with humans.
Interactions with Humans:
- Cougars usually avoid human contact, but there have been rare instances of attacks on humans, particularly when they feel threatened or their young are in danger.
- Responsible coexistence with cougars involves securing livestock, avoiding leaving pet food outdoors, and keeping pets indoors at night in areas where cougars are present.