Cougars will deposit their scat in the middle of trails and dirt roads as a territorial marking.
They will sometimes scrape together a pile of debris and urinate or defecate on it. This is another
form of territorial marking. Cougar scats are segmented and the ends are rounder than those of
canines. Cougar scat is about the size of a large dog's scat and usually contains large amounts of
hair. Also, Cougar scat can be often difficult to find because of the animal’s secretive nature and
tendency to bury it (look for dirt mounds like a house cat makes, but much larger). It generally has
a segmented appearance with non-tapered ends.
How to tell if it's from a Cougar?
Being able to identify mountain lion scat is an important part of determining the threat level of
mountain lions in the area.
Step 1 Look at size. Generally, the scat of a mountain lion is roughly the same size as dog scat,
making it fairly distinct from the much smaller scat of bobcats and the larger scat of deer, elk
and other bigger mammals.
Step 2 Check out the composition. Cougar scat has a fairly consistent composition. However, one
of the most noticeable features of cougar scat is the presence of a fair amount of hair, usually the
remnants of the animal's last meal.
Step 3 Look at the shape. While mountain lion scat is similar in size to dog scat it has some noticeable differences. Mountain lion scat has
distinctly rounded ends. The scat is also divided into fairly clear segments, each of which is roughly one inch in diameter.
Step 4 Pay attention to the location. Like most cats, mountain lions are fairly deliberate about where they put their droppings. Mountain lions
often leave their scat in the open. For example, you'll find it on the middle of a trail. In many cases, the animal gathers a small pile of debris,
such as a pile of twigs or leaves, and then defecates on it as a territorial marker.
Cougar scat Comparison
They will sometimes scrape together a pile of debris and urinate or defecate on it. This is another
form of territorial marking. Cougar scats are segmented and the ends are rounder than those of
canines. Cougar scat is about the size of a large dog's scat and usually contains large amounts of
hair. Also, Cougar scat can be often difficult to find because of the animal’s secretive nature and
tendency to bury it (look for dirt mounds like a house cat makes, but much larger). It generally has
a segmented appearance with non-tapered ends.
How to tell if it's from a Cougar?
Being able to identify mountain lion scat is an important part of determining the threat level of
mountain lions in the area.
Step 1 Look at size. Generally, the scat of a mountain lion is roughly the same size as dog scat,
making it fairly distinct from the much smaller scat of bobcats and the larger scat of deer, elk
and other bigger mammals.
Step 2 Check out the composition. Cougar scat has a fairly consistent composition. However, one
of the most noticeable features of cougar scat is the presence of a fair amount of hair, usually the
remnants of the animal's last meal.
Step 3 Look at the shape. While mountain lion scat is similar in size to dog scat it has some noticeable differences. Mountain lion scat has
distinctly rounded ends. The scat is also divided into fairly clear segments, each of which is roughly one inch in diameter.
Step 4 Pay attention to the location. Like most cats, mountain lions are fairly deliberate about where they put their droppings. Mountain lions
often leave their scat in the open. For example, you'll find it on the middle of a trail. In many cases, the animal gathers a small pile of debris,
such as a pile of twigs or leaves, and then defecates on it as a territorial marker.
Cougar scat Comparison
Cougar Tracks
Do you think you've seen a mountain lion track? First, look for the
overall round shape of the track, common to most felines. The mountain lion’s
front foot has four toes and a heel that registers, which means they make an
imprint in the ground. The front foot of the mountain lion is larger and more
asymmetrical than the rear foot. Look at the palm of the track. See how large it
looks? It’s almost twice the size of the digits. Canine tracks do not have this
characteristic. Look at the shape of the heel. Notice the dimple in the middle at
the top of the pad just under the two middle toes. This is a big tracking
identification clue; a classic cat feature.
Look at the space between the toes and the palm pad. There is a curved
ridge, which some trackers call a linked ridge. Canines do not have this feature.
They have a diamond or pyramid shape in this area of the track. Let’s look at
the toes. The first thing to note is that their shape is oval, and the most striking
characteristic is this: the toes are offset. They point in a different direction from
the heel pad with one toe ahead or forward of the others. Notice the outer two
toes. One is forward of the other. Dog paws do not have this feature. All of their
toes point straight ahead or slightly toward each other.
If you try to draw an X between a mountain lion's toe pads, note that the X
crosses into the heel pad. However, if you try to draw an X between a dog’s toe
pads, the X doesn’t go into the foot pad. Sometimes you’ll be able to see the
claw marks left by a dog’s claws above the toe pads of his print, but these
aren’t always obvious. One last thing to determine is whether the track is of the right or left paw. Here’s a way to tell: The inner toe furthest
forward on the track is pointing toward the mountain lion’s body. Try this with your own hand. Take your left hand palm side down and count
three fingers from the left. You will have the longest finger on your hand three fingers from the left, just like our cougar friend. If you cock your
middle finger slightly to the right, you will demonstrate what the cougar's left paw looks like.Mountain lions have a lot of hair between their toes,
and their paws are broad. They don’t sink as deeply into soft earth as you’d expect from so heavy an animal. Look at the tracks in the mountain
lions’ enclosures and you'll be struck with how light and shallow they are. The toe pad impressions look like raindrop impressions in dusty earth.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resourses has posted on their website, "How to identify Cougar, Coyote, and Bobcat tracks.
Do you think you've seen a mountain lion track? First, look for the
overall round shape of the track, common to most felines. The mountain lion’s
front foot has four toes and a heel that registers, which means they make an
imprint in the ground. The front foot of the mountain lion is larger and more
asymmetrical than the rear foot. Look at the palm of the track. See how large it
looks? It’s almost twice the size of the digits. Canine tracks do not have this
characteristic. Look at the shape of the heel. Notice the dimple in the middle at
the top of the pad just under the two middle toes. This is a big tracking
identification clue; a classic cat feature.
Look at the space between the toes and the palm pad. There is a curved
ridge, which some trackers call a linked ridge. Canines do not have this feature.
They have a diamond or pyramid shape in this area of the track. Let’s look at
the toes. The first thing to note is that their shape is oval, and the most striking
characteristic is this: the toes are offset. They point in a different direction from
the heel pad with one toe ahead or forward of the others. Notice the outer two
toes. One is forward of the other. Dog paws do not have this feature. All of their
toes point straight ahead or slightly toward each other.
If you try to draw an X between a mountain lion's toe pads, note that the X
crosses into the heel pad. However, if you try to draw an X between a dog’s toe
pads, the X doesn’t go into the foot pad. Sometimes you’ll be able to see the
claw marks left by a dog’s claws above the toe pads of his print, but these
aren’t always obvious. One last thing to determine is whether the track is of the right or left paw. Here’s a way to tell: The inner toe furthest
forward on the track is pointing toward the mountain lion’s body. Try this with your own hand. Take your left hand palm side down and count
three fingers from the left. You will have the longest finger on your hand three fingers from the left, just like our cougar friend. If you cock your
middle finger slightly to the right, you will demonstrate what the cougar's left paw looks like.Mountain lions have a lot of hair between their toes,
and their paws are broad. They don’t sink as deeply into soft earth as you’d expect from so heavy an animal. Look at the tracks in the mountain
lions’ enclosures and you'll be struck with how light and shallow they are. The toe pad impressions look like raindrop impressions in dusty earth.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resourses has posted on their website, "How to identify Cougar, Coyote, and Bobcat tracks.
Although Cougars / Mountain Lions are not wide spread in the
eastern United States, there have been sightings. We know of one
sighting on an Alpaca farm near Huntington, WV. Several hunters
have witnessed the illusive big cat while deer hunting.
This short video that we found on Youtube shows the power
and authority of the Cougar. This cat is the boss and is king of our
North American Jungle. They are fearless in the wild and masters of
the woods.
The cougar (Puma concolor), also puma, mountain lion, or
panther, 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, extending from Yukon in
Canada to the southern Andes of South America. An adaptable,
generalist species, the cougar is found in every major New World
habitat type. It is the second heaviest cat in the New World, after the
jaguar, and the fourth heaviest in the world, after the tiger, lion, and
jaguar, although it is most closely related to smaller felines.
A capable stalk-and-ambush predator, the cougar pursues a
wide variety of prey. Primary food sources include ungulates such as
deer and bighorn sheep, as well as domestic cattle, horses, and sheep, particularly in the northern part of its range, but it hunts species as
small as insects and rodents. It prefers habitats with dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking, but it can live in open areas. The
cougar is territorial and persists at low population densities. Individual territory sizes depend on terrain, vegetation, and abundance of prey.
While it is a large predator, it is not always the dominant species in its range, as when it competes for prey with animals such as the gray
wolf, black bear, and the grizzly bear. It is a reclusive cat and usually avoids people. Attacks on humans remain rare, despite a recent
increase in frequency.
Due to persecution following the European colonization of the Americas, and continuing human development of cougar habitat, populations
have dropped in many parts of its historical range. In particular, the cougar was extirpated in eastern North America, except an isolated
sub-population in Florida; the animal may be recolonizing parts of its former eastern territory. With its vast range, the cougar has dozens of
names and various references in the mythology of the indigenous peoples of the Americas and in contemporary culture.
eastern United States, there have been sightings. We know of one
sighting on an Alpaca farm near Huntington, WV. Several hunters
have witnessed the illusive big cat while deer hunting.
This short video that we found on Youtube shows the power
and authority of the Cougar. This cat is the boss and is king of our
North American Jungle. They are fearless in the wild and masters of
the woods.
The cougar (Puma concolor), also puma, mountain lion, or
panther, 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, extending from Yukon in
Canada to the southern Andes of South America. An adaptable,
generalist species, the cougar is found in every major New World
habitat type. It is the second heaviest cat in the New World, after the
jaguar, and the fourth heaviest in the world, after the tiger, lion, and
jaguar, although it is most closely related to smaller felines.
A capable stalk-and-ambush predator, the cougar pursues a
wide variety of prey. Primary food sources include ungulates such as
deer and bighorn sheep, as well as domestic cattle, horses, and sheep, particularly in the northern part of its range, but it hunts species as
small as insects and rodents. It prefers habitats with dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking, but it can live in open areas. The
cougar is territorial and persists at low population densities. Individual territory sizes depend on terrain, vegetation, and abundance of prey.
While it is a large predator, it is not always the dominant species in its range, as when it competes for prey with animals such as the gray
wolf, black bear, and the grizzly bear. It is a reclusive cat and usually avoids people. Attacks on humans remain rare, despite a recent
increase in frequency.
Due to persecution following the European colonization of the Americas, and continuing human development of cougar habitat, populations
have dropped in many parts of its historical range. In particular, the cougar was extirpated in eastern North America, except an isolated
sub-population in Florida; the animal may be recolonizing parts of its former eastern territory. With its vast range, the cougar has dozens of
names and various references in the mythology of the indigenous peoples of the Americas and in contemporary culture.
Reproduction and lifecycle
Females reach sexual maturity between one-and-a-half and three years of age. They typically average one litter every two to three years
throughout their reproductive life; the period can be as short as one year. Females are in estrus for approximately 8 days of a 23-day cycle;
the gestation period is approximately 91 days. Females are sometimes reported as monogamous, but this is uncertain and polygyny may be
more common. Copulation is brief but frequent.
Cougar kittensOnly females are involved in parenting. Female cougars are fiercely
protective of their kittens, and have been seen to successfully fight off animals as large as
grizzly bears in their defense. Litter size is between one and six kittens, typically two or three.
Caves and other alcoves that offer protection are used as litter dens. Born blind, kittens are
completely dependent on their mother at first, and begin to be weaned at around three
months of age. As they grow, they begin to go out on forays with their mother, first visiting kill
sites, and after six months beginning to hunt small prey on their own. Kitten survival rates are
just over one per litter.
Sub-adults leave their mother to attempt to establish their own territory at around two
years of age and sometimes earlier; males tend to leave sooner. One study has shown high
morbidity amongst cougars that travel farthest from the maternal range, often due to conflicts
with other cougars ("intraspecific" conflict). Research in New Mexico has shown that "males
dispersed significantly farther than females, were more likely to traverse large expanses of
non-cougar habitat, and were probably most responsible for nuclear gene flow between
habitat patches."
Life expectancy in the wild is reported at between 8 to 13 years, and probably averages
8 to 10; a female of at least 18 years was reported killed by hunters on Vancouver Island.
Cougars may live as long as 20 years in captivity. Causes of death in the wild include
disability and disease, competition with other cougars, starvation, accidents, and, where
allowed, human hunting. Feline immunodeficiency virus, an endemic AIDS-like disease in
cats, is well-adapted to the cougar.
Females reach sexual maturity between one-and-a-half and three years of age. They typically average one litter every two to three years
throughout their reproductive life; the period can be as short as one year. Females are in estrus for approximately 8 days of a 23-day cycle;
the gestation period is approximately 91 days. Females are sometimes reported as monogamous, but this is uncertain and polygyny may be
more common. Copulation is brief but frequent.
Cougar kittensOnly females are involved in parenting. Female cougars are fiercely
protective of their kittens, and have been seen to successfully fight off animals as large as
grizzly bears in their defense. Litter size is between one and six kittens, typically two or three.
Caves and other alcoves that offer protection are used as litter dens. Born blind, kittens are
completely dependent on their mother at first, and begin to be weaned at around three
months of age. As they grow, they begin to go out on forays with their mother, first visiting kill
sites, and after six months beginning to hunt small prey on their own. Kitten survival rates are
just over one per litter.
Sub-adults leave their mother to attempt to establish their own territory at around two
years of age and sometimes earlier; males tend to leave sooner. One study has shown high
morbidity amongst cougars that travel farthest from the maternal range, often due to conflicts
with other cougars ("intraspecific" conflict). Research in New Mexico has shown that "males
dispersed significantly farther than females, were more likely to traverse large expanses of
non-cougar habitat, and were probably most responsible for nuclear gene flow between
habitat patches."
Life expectancy in the wild is reported at between 8 to 13 years, and probably averages
8 to 10; a female of at least 18 years was reported killed by hunters on Vancouver Island.
Cougars may live as long as 20 years in captivity. Causes of death in the wild include
disability and disease, competition with other cougars, starvation, accidents, and, where
allowed, human hunting. Feline immunodeficiency virus, an endemic AIDS-like disease in
cats, is well-adapted to the cougar.
| Good Shepherd Farm Alpacas is owned by Chris & Rebecca Arnold. Copyright 2005-2008. All rights reserved. Website powered by Yahoo! |
| Cougar (Puma concolor) |
Cougar Deterrents & Attractants
Along with other predators, there are all sorts of Cougar deterrents being sold on the market today for a "small" price. Utilizing some common
house hold products can also provide a more economical way to deter cougars. It is also beneficial to do what we can to not attract a Cougar.
The following is a list of Deterrents and Attractions. Some links point to websites outside of gafalpacas.com.
Remember to alternated deterrents to prevent the Cougar from getting used to one method.
house hold products can also provide a more economical way to deter cougars. It is also beneficial to do what we can to not attract a Cougar.
The following is a list of Deterrents and Attractions. Some links point to websites outside of gafalpacas.com.
Remember to alternated deterrents to prevent the Cougar from getting used to one method.
| Deterrents Check with State Laws & Guidelines Eye Contact Human Scent - cologne scented rag placed in a tree or bush Motion detection lights, replace one bulb with a horn Motion activated devices, strobe lights, and sprinklers Radio set to a Talk station and turned up Electronic Animal Deterrent Phantom Pest Wildlife Deterrents Livestock Guardian Dogs (maybe) Fences Cougar Hunting The Coyote Roller Trapping (Check local trapping Laws) Professional Wildlife Removal |
| Attractants Running in fear Female dog in heat Puppies / Kittens Garbage or Compost Pet food Manure - droppings Animal carcus All livestock A sunning Alpaca A humming Alpaca A breathing Alpaca Purchased Scent Lures Any of the above on neighbors property |
| Cougar Videos |
| The Cougar (Animal Planet) |
| Black Bear vs. Cougar |
Find a Local Trapper
The West Virginia Trappers Association is a great resource for West Virginia Alpaca Farmers to
locate a trapper to come trap unwanted predators. The website also lists Trapper Associations for
other states. If you cannot or do not want to attempt to trap predators yourself, we recommend
contacting an experienced trapper.
locate a trapper to come trap unwanted predators. The website also lists Trapper Associations for
other states. If you cannot or do not want to attempt to trap predators yourself, we recommend
contacting an experienced trapper.
Physical characteristics
Although cougars resemble the domestic cat, they are about the same size as an adult human.Cougars are slender and agile cats.
Adults stand about 60 to 80 cm (2.0 to 2.7 ft) tall at the shoulders. The length of adult males is around 2.4 m (8 ft) long nose to tail, with
overall ranges between 1.5 and 2.75 meters (5 and 9 ft) nose to tail suggested for the species in general. Males have an average weight of
about 53 to 72 kilograms (115 to 160 pounds). In rare cases, some may reach over 120 kg (260 lb). Female average weight is between 34
and 48 kg (75 and 105 lb). Cougar size is smallest close to the equator, and larger towards the poles.
The head of the cat is round and the ears erect. Its powerful forequarters,
neck, and jaw serve to grasp and hold large prey. It has five retractable claws
on its forepaws (one a dewclaw) and four on its hind paws. The larger front
feet and claws are adaptations to clutching prey.
Cougars can be as large as jaguars, but are less muscled and powerful;
where their ranges overlap, the cougar tends to be smaller than average. The
cougar is on average heavier than the leopard. Despite its size, it is not
typically classified among the "big cats," as it cannot roar, lacking the
specialized larynx and hyoid apparatus of Panthera. Like domestic cats,
cougars vocalize low-pitched hisses, growls, and purrs, as well as chirps and
whistles. They are well known for their screams, referenced in some of its
common names, although these may often be the misinterpreted calls of other
animals.
The Cougar coloring is plain (hence the Latin concolor) but can vary
greatly between individuals and even between siblings. The coat is typically
tawny, but ranges to silvery-grey or reddish, with lighter patches on the under
body including the jaws, chin, and throat. Infants are spotted and born with
blue eyes and rings on their tails juveniles are pale, and dark spots remain on
their flanks. Despite anecdotes to the contrary, all-black coloring (melanism)
has never been documented in cougars. The term "black panther" is used
colloquially to refer to melanistic individuals of other species, particularly
jaguars and leopards.
Cougars have large paws and proportionally the largest hind legs in the cat family. This physique allows it great leaping and short-sprint
ability. An exceptional vertical leap of 5.4 m (18 ft) is reported for the cougar. Horizontal jumping capability is suggested anywhere from 6 to
12 m (20 to 40 ft). The cougar can run as fast as 55 km/h (35 mph), but is best adapted for short, powerful sprints rather than long chases. It
is adept at climbing, which allows it to evade canine competitors. Although it is not strongly associated with water, it can swim.
Hunting and Diet
Cougars are ambush predators, feeding mostly on deer and other mammals.A successful generalist predator, the cougar will eat any
animal it can catch, from insects to large ungulates. Like all cats, it is an obligate carnivore, feeding only on meat. Its most important prey
species are various deer species, particularly in North America; mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and even the large moose are taken by
the cat. Other species such as Bighorn Sheep, horses, and
domestic livestock such as cattle and sheep are also primary food bases in
many areas. A survey of North America research found 68% of prey items
were ungulates, especially deer. Only the Florida Panther showed
variation, often preferring feral hogs and armadillos. Investigation in
Yellowstone National Park showed elk followed by mule deer were the
cougar's primary targets; the prey base is shared with the park's gray
wolves, with whom the cougar competes for resources. Another study on
winter kills (November–April) in Alberta showed that ungulates accounted
for greater than 99% of the cougar diet. Learned, individual prey
recognition was observed, as some cougars rarely killed bighorn sheep,
while others relied heavily on the species.
In the Central and South American cougar range, the ratio of deer in the
diet declines. Small to mid-size mammals are preferred, including large
rodents such as the capybara. Ungulates accounted for only 35% of prey items in one survey, approximately half that of North America.
Competition with the larger jaguar has been suggested for the decline in the size of prey items. Other listed prey species of the cougar
include mice, porcupine, and hares. Birds and small reptiles are sometimes preyed upon in the south, but this is rarely recorded in North
America.
Though capable of sprinting, the cougar is typically an ambush predator. It stalks through brush and trees, across ledges, or other covered
spots, before delivering a powerful leap onto the back of its prey and a suffocating neck bite. The cougar is capable of breaking the neck of
some of its smaller prey with a strong bite and momentum bearing the animal to the ground.
Although cougars resemble the domestic cat, they are about the same size as an adult human.Cougars are slender and agile cats.
Adults stand about 60 to 80 cm (2.0 to 2.7 ft) tall at the shoulders. The length of adult males is around 2.4 m (8 ft) long nose to tail, with
overall ranges between 1.5 and 2.75 meters (5 and 9 ft) nose to tail suggested for the species in general. Males have an average weight of
about 53 to 72 kilograms (115 to 160 pounds). In rare cases, some may reach over 120 kg (260 lb). Female average weight is between 34
and 48 kg (75 and 105 lb). Cougar size is smallest close to the equator, and larger towards the poles.
The head of the cat is round and the ears erect. Its powerful forequarters,
neck, and jaw serve to grasp and hold large prey. It has five retractable claws
on its forepaws (one a dewclaw) and four on its hind paws. The larger front
feet and claws are adaptations to clutching prey.
Cougars can be as large as jaguars, but are less muscled and powerful;
where their ranges overlap, the cougar tends to be smaller than average. The
cougar is on average heavier than the leopard. Despite its size, it is not
typically classified among the "big cats," as it cannot roar, lacking the
specialized larynx and hyoid apparatus of Panthera. Like domestic cats,
cougars vocalize low-pitched hisses, growls, and purrs, as well as chirps and
whistles. They are well known for their screams, referenced in some of its
common names, although these may often be the misinterpreted calls of other
animals.
The Cougar coloring is plain (hence the Latin concolor) but can vary
greatly between individuals and even between siblings. The coat is typically
tawny, but ranges to silvery-grey or reddish, with lighter patches on the under
body including the jaws, chin, and throat. Infants are spotted and born with
blue eyes and rings on their tails juveniles are pale, and dark spots remain on
their flanks. Despite anecdotes to the contrary, all-black coloring (melanism)
has never been documented in cougars. The term "black panther" is used
colloquially to refer to melanistic individuals of other species, particularly
jaguars and leopards.
Cougars have large paws and proportionally the largest hind legs in the cat family. This physique allows it great leaping and short-sprint
ability. An exceptional vertical leap of 5.4 m (18 ft) is reported for the cougar. Horizontal jumping capability is suggested anywhere from 6 to
12 m (20 to 40 ft). The cougar can run as fast as 55 km/h (35 mph), but is best adapted for short, powerful sprints rather than long chases. It
is adept at climbing, which allows it to evade canine competitors. Although it is not strongly associated with water, it can swim.
Hunting and Diet
Cougars are ambush predators, feeding mostly on deer and other mammals.A successful generalist predator, the cougar will eat any
animal it can catch, from insects to large ungulates. Like all cats, it is an obligate carnivore, feeding only on meat. Its most important prey
species are various deer species, particularly in North America; mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and even the large moose are taken by
the cat. Other species such as Bighorn Sheep, horses, and
domestic livestock such as cattle and sheep are also primary food bases in
many areas. A survey of North America research found 68% of prey items
were ungulates, especially deer. Only the Florida Panther showed
variation, often preferring feral hogs and armadillos. Investigation in
Yellowstone National Park showed elk followed by mule deer were the
cougar's primary targets; the prey base is shared with the park's gray
wolves, with whom the cougar competes for resources. Another study on
winter kills (November–April) in Alberta showed that ungulates accounted
for greater than 99% of the cougar diet. Learned, individual prey
recognition was observed, as some cougars rarely killed bighorn sheep,
while others relied heavily on the species.
In the Central and South American cougar range, the ratio of deer in the
diet declines. Small to mid-size mammals are preferred, including large
rodents such as the capybara. Ungulates accounted for only 35% of prey items in one survey, approximately half that of North America.
Competition with the larger jaguar has been suggested for the decline in the size of prey items. Other listed prey species of the cougar
include mice, porcupine, and hares. Birds and small reptiles are sometimes preyed upon in the south, but this is rarely recorded in North
America.
Though capable of sprinting, the cougar is typically an ambush predator. It stalks through brush and trees, across ledges, or other covered
spots, before delivering a powerful leap onto the back of its prey and a suffocating neck bite. The cougar is capable of breaking the neck of
some of its smaller prey with a strong bite and momentum bearing the animal to the ground.
Distribution and habitat
The cougar has the largest range of any wild land animal in the Americas. Its range spans 110 degrees of latitude, from northern Yukon in
Canada to the southern Andes. It is one of only three cat species, along with the bobcat and Canadian lynx, native to Canada. Its wide
distribution stems from its adaptability to virtually every habitat type: it is found in all forest types as well as in lowland
and mountainous deserts. Studies show that the Cougar prefers regions with dense underbrush, but can live with
little vegetation in open areas. Its preferred habitats include precipitous canyons, escarpments, rim rocks, and
dense brush.
Cougar, photographed in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona.The cougar was extirpated
across much of its eastern North American range with the exception of Florida in the two centuries after
European colonization and faced grave threats in the remainder. Currently, it ranges across most western
American states, the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and the Canadian Yukon Territory.
There have been widely-debated reports of possible recolonization of eastern North America. DNA evidence
has suggested its presence in eastern North America, while a consolidated map of cougar sightings shows
numerous reports, from the mid-western Great Plains through to Eastern Canada. The only
unequivocally known eastern population is the Florida panther, which is critically endangered.
South of the Rio Grande, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN) lists the cat in every Central and South American country except Costa
Rica and Panama. While specific state and provincial statistics are often available in
North America, much less is known about the cat in its southern range.
The cougar's total breeding population is estimated at less than 50,000 by the
IUCN, with a declining trend. U.S. state-level statistics are often more optimistic,
suggesting cougar populations have rebounded. In Oregon, a healthy population of
5,000 was reported in 2006, exceeding a target of 3,000. California has actively
sought to protect the cat and a similar number of cougars has been suggested, between
4,000 and 6,000.
The cougar has the largest range of any wild land animal in the Americas. Its range spans 110 degrees of latitude, from northern Yukon in
Canada to the southern Andes. It is one of only three cat species, along with the bobcat and Canadian lynx, native to Canada. Its wide
distribution stems from its adaptability to virtually every habitat type: it is found in all forest types as well as in lowland
and mountainous deserts. Studies show that the Cougar prefers regions with dense underbrush, but can live with
little vegetation in open areas. Its preferred habitats include precipitous canyons, escarpments, rim rocks, and
dense brush.
Cougar, photographed in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona.The cougar was extirpated
across much of its eastern North American range with the exception of Florida in the two centuries after
European colonization and faced grave threats in the remainder. Currently, it ranges across most western
American states, the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and the Canadian Yukon Territory.
There have been widely-debated reports of possible recolonization of eastern North America. DNA evidence
has suggested its presence in eastern North America, while a consolidated map of cougar sightings shows
numerous reports, from the mid-western Great Plains through to Eastern Canada. The only
unequivocally known eastern population is the Florida panther, which is critically endangered.
South of the Rio Grande, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN) lists the cat in every Central and South American country except Costa
Rica and Panama. While specific state and provincial statistics are often available in
North America, much less is known about the cat in its southern range.
The cougar's total breeding population is estimated at less than 50,000 by the
IUCN, with a declining trend. U.S. state-level statistics are often more optimistic,
suggesting cougar populations have rebounded. In Oregon, a healthy population of
5,000 was reported in 2006, exceeding a target of 3,000. California has actively
sought to protect the cat and a similar number of cougars has been suggested, between
4,000 and 6,000.
Cougar Scat
| Couger hunting Mountain Goats |
| Couger chasing sheep through barn |
| Pamphlet: Raising Alpacas in Mountain Lion country By Eric Hoffman Please read this if you live in areas with Mtn. Lions |