Cougars

Cougars are large wild cats with tan fur and long tails. They are also called mountain lions, pumas, or panthers. Cougars live in many places, from Canada all the way down to South America. They are strong hunters and great climbers.

Powerful Hunters

Cougars hunt by sneaking up on their prey. They have strong back legs that let them jump very far. A cougar can leap more than 20 feet in one jump. They mostly hunt deer, but they also eat smaller animals like rabbits and birds.

Alone and Quiet

Cougars live alone most of the time. Each cougar has its own large area where it hunts. Unlike lions and tigers, cougars cannot roar. Instead, they make sounds like purrs, hisses, and screams. Mother cougars raise their babies, called cubs, on their own.

Fun Facts

• Cougars can jump 15 feet straight up in the air.
• They have more names than any other animal, over 40 different ones.
• A cougar's tail can be as long as 3 feet.

Did You Know?

Cougars can run up to 50 miles per hour in short bursts when chasing prey.