The cougar is a large cat native to North America. A cougar's head is small with a rounded face and ears. It has sharp teeth. It has forward facing eyes which help it to follow movement of prey.The lion's neck and body are long and narrow. A mountain lion's legs are very muscular and the hind legs are longer than the front legs. It has a long, cylindrical tail. There are two main colors of cougars: reddish brown and gray. Red cats can vary from buff, cinnamon and tawny to a very reddish brown color. Gray cats can vary from silver gray to bluish to slate gray. The sides of a mountain lion's muzzle are black and so is the tip of its tail. The upper lip, chin and throat are white. The coats of newborn kittens are covered with black spots which disappear as they grow. The male is larger than the female. Adult cougars range in length from 5 1/2 to 8 feet (30-36 inches is tail) and can weigh from 80 to 200 pounds.

Habitat

Mountain lions can be found in a variety of habitats including coniferous forests, wooded swamps, tropical forests, open grasslands, chaparral, brushland and desert edges. They seem to prefer rough, rocky, semi-open areas. Mountain lion and deer often share the same habitat.

Food

Cougars are carnivores. Deer are their main source of food. They will also eat other prey ranging from mice to moose. Prey includes rabbits, hares, beaver, porcupines, skunks, martens, coyotes, peccaries, bear cubs, pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain goats, mountain sheep, elk, grouse, wild turkeys, fish, livestock and pets.

Habits

Cougars are shy and elusive. They hunt alone except during breeding season and when the female is traveling with her cubs. Lions are nocturnal, preferring to hunt at night. They stake out territories that range from 12 to 22 square miles. Dominant males commonly kill other males, females and kittens. Cougars are able to run quickly for short distances and are agile tree climbers.

Mountain lions do not have a definite breeding season. Mating can take place any time. The majority of births occur in late winter and early spring. After a gestation period of 90-96 days, one to five young are born. The kittens can eat meat at six weeks but usually nurse until about three months of age. The young usually hunt with their mother through their first winter.

Geographic Range Cougar range is mainly in western Canada and in western and southern United States. Small populations are found in the south from Texas to Florida. Sightings have occurred in the midwestern and eastern states.

Confrontations between humans and cougars have been increasing over the last 20 years. These encounters have resulted in injury and loss of human life. There are several theories as to why these encounters have increased. One is that there are more cougars now than 20 years ago and peo-ple are spending more time in cougar habitat - hiking, bik-ing and camping. Also urban growth has eliminated some cougar habitat and in some cases provided habitat.

If you encounter a cougar . . .

• Keep children close to you
• Do not approach a lion
• Do not run from or turn your back to a lion. Its instinct is to chase running animals.
• Do not crouch down or bend over - you look like prey when you do.
• Make yourself look bigger and speak loudly.
• Fight back if attacked.

Cougar Legends and Folklore

The puma is found in most American Indian mythology. The cat's cunning, ability and strength are respected and admired by many tribes. The cougar is looked at as a protector or source of power to ward off disease or to excel as a hunter. Some tribes viewed the cougar as an omen of disaster.

Ancient Peruvians gave the name puma to some of their most famous families. The puma was worshipped and used as a symbol at feasts. Lion skins were used for dress to represent bravery. In the Inca civilization, districts, wards, cities and mountains were often named after the puma.

The cougar was considered a friend and provider to Cheyenne Indians who watched crows and buzzards to find the remains of lion kills. In Cheyenne legend there is a story of a woman who strayed into the woods mourning the death of her baby. Finding a den of motherless panther kittens, she gently pressed one close to her breast and affectionately stroked the tiny animal. Apparently hungry, it began to suckle. The woman raised the kitten and in time it repaid her by killing deer and bringing the meat to share. After that, other Cheyenne women raised puma kittens for the same purpose.