皇冠体育app官网平台

Description

The mountain lion—also known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamount—is a sleek, powerful feline native to diverse habitats across the 皇冠体育app官网平台s. Cloaked in soft, tawny-beige fur that seamlessly blends with rocky hillsides and forests, these stealthy predators move silently through their territory, distinguished by a pale whitish-gray underbelly and chest, with striking black accents on their ears, snout, and tail-tip. One of their most remarkable traits is their impressive adaptability—mountain lions thrive in environments ranging from deserts to snowy mountain slopes, with their body size varying significantly depending on latitude. Typically, mountain lions living closer to the equator are smaller, while those found nearer the poles grow significantly larger. On average, adult males weigh between 115 and 220 pounds (52 to 100 kilograms), while females are smaller, ranging from 64 to 141 pounds (29 to 64 kilograms). Renowned for their agility, strength, and elusive nature, mountain lions remain one of the Western Hemisphere’s most iconic predators.

Range

The mountain lion boasts the most extensive range of any terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, spanning from the Canadian Yukon to the Strait of Magellan in Chile. This adaptability allows them to inhabit a diverse array of ecosystems, including mountains, forests, deserts, and wetlands, provided there's adequate shelter and prey.

Despite their broad distribution, mountain lions are mostly solitary and territorial, leading to naturally low population densities. These densities can vary significantly based on habitat quality, prey availability, and human activity. Typically, population range from less than one individual to over four per 40 square miles (100 square miles).

Diet

These cats are obligate carnivores and adept ambush predators. They primarily hunt under the cover of darkness, employing stealth and patience to stalk their prey before delivering a powerful bite to the neck or skull. Their diet is diverse and varies based on geographic location, prey availability, and seasonal changes.

In North 皇冠体育app官网平台, deer species such as mule deer and white-tailed deer constitute the bulk of their diet. However, mountain lions are opportunistic feeders and will also prey on elk, moose, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.

In addition to large prey, mountain lions consume smaller mammals such as raccoons, porcupines, rabbits, and rodents. They have also been known to prey on birds, reptiles, and even insects when larger prey is scarce. In some regions, domestic animals like livestock and pets may be taken, especially where natural prey is limited.

Life History

Mountain lions are capable of breeding year-round, though in northern regions, births are more common between May and October. Females typically reach sexual maturity between 18 months and 3 years of age, while males mature around 2 to 3 years. The gestation period averages 90 to 96 days, resulting in litters ranging from one to six cubs, with two to four being most common.

Kittens are born blind and heavily spotted, weighing approximately 500 grams (just over 1 pound). Their eyes open around 10 to 14 days after birth, and they begin to be weaned at about 6 to 8 weeks of age. By 2 to 3 months, they start accompanying their mother on hunting forays, learning essential survival skills. The spotted coat fades as they mature, usually disappearing by 6 months.

Juvenile mountain lions remain with their mother for approximately 12 to 24 months, during which they learn to hunt and establish survival strategies. After this period, they disperse to find and establish their own territories. Males tend to disperse farther than females, often traveling significant distances to establish their own ranges.

In the wild, mountain lions typically live up to 10 to 13 years, though few reach this age due to various mortality factors, including human-related causes and environmental challenges. In captivity, they can live up to 20 years or more.

Conservation

The historic range of the mountain lion included almost all North and South 皇冠体育app官网平台. While there are still several thousand mountain lions in the wild, their population has significantly decreased from historic levels due to habitat destruction, anti-predator campaigns, conflicts with livestock and general persecution by humans.

The eastern cougar, a subspecies of mountain lion, was declared officially extinct by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 2011, although individuals from more western populations have been confirmed to wander as far as the East Coast. Florida panthers, a subspecies of mountain lion alive today, are listed as endangered on the U.S. list of endangered species.

For the most recent and region-specific information on mountain lion status and conservation in the U.S., see .

Fun Facts

1. Mountain lions typically make a large kill every 7 to 10 days, but this frequency can increase for females with cubs, who may hunt as often as every 3 days.

2. After a kill, mountain lions often drag the carcass to a secluded spot, cover it with debris, and return to feed over several days.

3. Mountain lions hold the Guinness World Record for the animal with the most common names, including cougar, puma, panther, and catamount.

4. Unlike other large cats such as lions or tigers, mountain lions cannot roar. Instead, they produce sounds such as growls, hisses, and purrs, similar to smaller cat species.

Resources and More Information

, Mountain lions/cougars, 2025

Connecting the Florida Wildlife Corridor, NW magazine, 2023

For Kids:

, Ranger Rick, 2023

(craft), Ranger Rick

(Florida Panther), Ranger Rick, 2020