* Dens: Cougars don't have a fixed "home," but they do have a few dens they use for resting, raising young, and escaping danger. These dens are usually natural shelters like caves, rock crevices, hollow logs, or dense thickets. They might use several dens within their territory, switching between them depending on the season, food availability, or presence of threats.
* Territory: Cougar territories are vast and can range from 10-100 square miles, depending on factors like food availability, prey density, and human presence. They mark their territory with urine, feces, and claw marks on trees. This lets other cougars know the area is occupied.
* Home Range: While they have a specific territory, they also have a larger home range where they travel and hunt. This is where they spend most of their time, but it's not as strictly defended as their core territory.
Key Points about Cougar Homes:
* No Construction: Cougars don't build anything like nests or burrows. They use existing natural shelters.
* Variable Use: Their dens are not permanent, and they switch between different locations based on need.
* Solitary: Their territory is meant to be their own, and they are generally solitary animals.
Cougar home ranges are a critical aspect of their survival. They ensure they have enough space to hunt, raise their young, and avoid competition with other cougars.