The most widely distributed wild cat in the Americas, mountain lions are solitary apex predators essential to deer population control.

Also called: Cougar, Puma, Panther (FL pop.), Catamount

Native status: Native; widespread in West, recolonizing some Midwest, endangered Florida subspecies

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 1.5–2.7 m (5–9 ft) incl. tail; shoulder height 60–80 cm
WeightMales 53–100 kg (115–220 lb); females 29–64 kg
LifespanWild typically 8–13 years; oldest documented 23
OrderCarnivora
FamilyFelidae

§ Encyclopedia

The cougar, also called puma, mountain lion, catamount, and panther, is a large small cat native to the Americas. It inhabits North, Central and South America, making it the most widely distributed wild, terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, and one of the most widespread in the world. Its range spans Yukon, British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, the Rocky Mountains and areas in the western United States. Further south, its range extends through Mexico to the Amazon rainforest and the southern Andes Mountains in Patagonia. It is an adaptable generalist species, occurring in most American habitat types. It prefers habitats with dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking but also lives in open areas.

Source: Wikipedia — Cougar Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Largest tawny cat in North America. Unmarked tan-brown coat; long tail tipped black; small rounded head.

Similar species. Bobcat (much smaller, short tail). Jaguar (spotted, much more massive, range barely overlaps).

Voice. Cannot roar (lacks ossified hyoid). Purrs like a house cat; female calls in estrus sound like a screaming woman.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Large mammals: deer (primary), elk, bighorn sheep; also coyotes, raccoons, hares. Caches kills under brush, returning to feed for days.

Behavior. Solitary except mothers with cubs. Maintains huge territories (50–1,000+ km²). Excellent climber and jumper — can leap 18 ft vertically.

§ Range

Western US, Florida (panther subspecies), expanding eastward

§ Habitat

Mountains, forests, deserts, and increasingly suburban-wildland interface

§ Threats

Habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes (the leading cause of death in some regions), retaliatory killings, rodenticide poisoning of prey.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the mountain lion is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support wildlife crossings on highways. Avoid second-generation rodenticides. Keep small pets supervised at dawn/dusk.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Mountain Lion Foundation
  • Panthera
  • USFWS Florida Panther Recovery
  • IUCN Red List 2015