The cougar, also puma, mountain lion, or panther, depending on region, is a mammal of the Felidae family, native to the Americas. This large solitary cat has the greatest range of any wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere.
A capable stalk-and-ambush predator, the cougar pursues a wide variety of prey. The cougar is territorial and individual territory size depends on the abundance of prey. While it is a large predator, it is not always the dominant species in its range.
Cougars are slender and agile cats. Its powerful forequarters, neck, and jaw serve to grasp and hold large prey. It has five retractable claws on its forepaws to clutch prey. Like domestic cats, cougars vocalize low-pitched hisses, growls, and purrs, as well as chirps and whistles. They are well known for their screams. The cougar is best adapted for short, powerful sprints rather than long chases. A successful generalist predator, the cougar will eat any animal it can catch, feeding only on meat.
Copulation is brief but frequent. Female cougars are fiercely protective of their kittens. Like almost all cats, the cougar is a solitary animal. Only mothers and kittens live in groups, with adults meeting only to mate. It is secretive and crepuscular, being most active around dawn and dusk.
As with many predators a cougar may attack if cornered, if a fleeing human stimulates their instinct to chase, or if a person “plays dead”. Fighting back with sticks, rocks, or even bare hands, are often effective in persuading an attacking cougar to disengage. When cougars do attack, they usually employ their characteristic neck bite.
Words of caution for young, inexperienced hunters:
- Never let a friend talk you into teasing or otherwise provoking a cougar
- No matter how cute or cuddly a cougar may look, NEVER underestimate the ferocity of this predator
- Do not drink alcohol as it lowers your inhibitions and ability to fight off a cougar
- When all else fails and you find yourself cornered by a cougar, relax, don’t lose your head. You are in for the fight of your life!
A capable stalk-and-ambush predator, the cougar pursues a wide variety of prey. The cougar is territorial and individual territory size depends on the abundance of prey. While it is a large predator, it is not always the dominant species in its range.
Cougars are slender and agile cats. Its powerful forequarters, neck, and jaw serve to grasp and hold large prey. It has five retractable claws on its forepaws to clutch prey. Like domestic cats, cougars vocalize low-pitched hisses, growls, and purrs, as well as chirps and whistles. They are well known for their screams. The cougar is best adapted for short, powerful sprints rather than long chases. A successful generalist predator, the cougar will eat any animal it can catch, feeding only on meat.
Copulation is brief but frequent. Female cougars are fiercely protective of their kittens. Like almost all cats, the cougar is a solitary animal. Only mothers and kittens live in groups, with adults meeting only to mate. It is secretive and crepuscular, being most active around dawn and dusk.
As with many predators a cougar may attack if cornered, if a fleeing human stimulates their instinct to chase, or if a person “plays dead”. Fighting back with sticks, rocks, or even bare hands, are often effective in persuading an attacking cougar to disengage. When cougars do attack, they usually employ their characteristic neck bite.
Words of caution for young, inexperienced hunters:
- Never let a friend talk you into teasing or otherwise provoking a cougar
- No matter how cute or cuddly a cougar may look, NEVER underestimate the ferocity of this predator
- Do not drink alcohol as it lowers your inhibitions and ability to fight off a cougar
- When all else fails and you find yourself cornered by a cougar, relax, don’t lose your head. You are in for the fight of your life!
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