Overview of the Cougar

The cougar, also known as the mountain lion or puma, is the largest of the small cats. It holds the Guinness world record for the animal with the greatest number of names; it has over 40 names in English alone. The cougar has the greatest range of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, extending from the top of Canada to the bottom of South America. There are six subspecies of cougar, and it is one of the only cat species native to Canada.

Cougars stand approximately 2.5 feet tall at the shoulders, and typically have lengths of 8 feet from nose to tail and weights of 137 pounds. However, cougar size varies: it is smallest closest to the equator, and largest towards the poles. The cougar is the second heaviest cat in North and South America, after the jaguar.

Although capable of chasing prey (it can run at speeds of 35 miles per hour), the cougar typically ambushes its prey by leaping onto them and delivering a bite to the neck. It is adept at climbing, and will leap from higher ground (like trees) to surprise its prey. The cougar has the proportionally largest hind legs of any cat, and due to this has an astounding vertical leap of 18 feet and an incredible horizontal leap of 20 to 40 feet. The cougar primarily eats cattle, deer, elk, horses, moose, and sheep. While it is a large predator, it usually is not the dominant predator in its area: it has to compete for food with the bears, jaguars, and wolves.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net