World of Cougars (Purring Cats)

Common Name:        Cougar

Genus/Species:         Puma concolor

Range:

From southern Canada south to Patagonia in southern South America. Found from sea level to 16,000 feet.

Natural Habitat:

Typical habitat is steep, rocky canyon country but can also be found in jungle swamp areas and desert plains. Known to live in temperatures of ‑40 degrees to 100+ degrees.

Physical Appearance:

Physical appearance may slightly vary depending on geographic area. Males are larger than females, otherwise appearance is similar. Adult males are 7-9 feet long, including the tail. Males weigh approximately 140-200 pounds, females 85-125 pounds. Cougars are light brown, tawny, and in a few cases, black; spots on side of muzzle; dark hair on tail tip; lighter on underparts. They have acute vision and hearing. Ears are round and erect and move to focus on sounds.

Reproduction:

Breeding is non‑seasonal with most births occurring in summer.  Females usually have young every other year. Two or three (but sometimes 6) cubs are born after a gestation period of 91 ‑ 95 days.  Cubs are weaned at 4 ‑ 6 weeks, accompany the mother in her home range for about 2 years, then disperse into a broader range as "floaters" in search of unoccupied territories.

STATUS in Natural Habitat:

Threatened to Endangered depending on geographic region

Cool Fact:

Cougars have over 200 names because they inhabit the largest geographical region of any other cat in the World.  Other names for the cougar include: mountain lion, panther, puma, catamount, American lion, screamer, painted cat and fire cat.

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