Puma vs cougar vs mountain lion

Their range extends further south through Mexicowhere they are found in nearly every state, to the Amazon Rainforest and the southern Andes Mountains in Patagonia. The puma as it is called in Spanish inhabits every mainland country in Central and South Americamaking it the most widely distributed large, wild, terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphereand one of the most widespread on planet Earth.

The mountain lion—also known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamount—is a large cat species native to the Americas. Mountain lions are large, tan cats. Their bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest. Black markings decorate the tip of the tail, ears, and around the snout. Mountain lions vary hugely in average body size depending on geographic location—their size is smallest closer to the equator and largest closer to the poles. Generally, though, males weigh between and pounds 52 and kilograms and females weigh between 64 and pounds 29 and 64 kilograms. Mountain lions inhabit a wide range of ecosystems, making their home anywhere there is shelter and prey, including mountains, forests, deserts, and wetlands.

Puma vs cougar vs mountain lion

Few large mammals enjoy so many common names as the puma Puma concolor , the second-largest cat in the Americas after the jaguar. This supple and muscular hunter has an enormous range -- from the Yukon to Patagonia -- which may partly explain all the nomenclatural variety. Native Americans and Euro-Americans have bestowed numerous other epithets upon P. Still other names include swamp screamer, Indian devil and ghost cat. Large males may weigh up to kilograms pounds or more. Long, muscular hindlegs give pumas superb jumping ability: They've been documented making horizontal leaps of 14 meters 45 feet , and one cat was seen springing 3. They're at home in a staggering variety of settings, from desert scrub to tropical rainforest to rugged subalpine forest. Their coats are tawny, reddish or grayish brown -- although occasionally melanistic, or all-black, individuals are recorded. Cubs, meanwhile, are patterned with spots and stripes that fade with age. On an adult puma, the most intricate coloration typically lies on the face, often defined by bold black accents around the muzzle as well as black marks on the backs of the ears. He holds a B. Updated March 13, Related Articles Characteristics of a Jackal. The Types of Wild Cats in Massachusetts. Is the Narwhal an Endangered Species?

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Did you know the cougar holds one of the Guinness World Records for having the most names? Often called "the cat of many names," it's referred to as the puma, panther, mountain cat, mountain lion, mountain screamer, painter and catamount, just to name a few. In fact, the cougar has more monikers than almost any other living mammal, around 40 in English alone. The reason: The name used depends on location, and there are a lot of those to be had. Due to the cougar's knack for adaptability — think a fast and powerful muscular body, sharp eyesight and keen hearing, as well as the ability to swim, climb trees and jump long distances — this cat can be seen thriving in many varied habitats, from the Southern Andes in South America to the Yukon in Canada, and everywhere from forests to open areas with sparse vegetation. Current mountain lion ranges in the western portion of the U. For example, he explains, the Incas called the animal puma, while the name cougar is a version of the old South American Indian word cuguacuarana which was shortened to cuguar , and then spelled differently.

Cougar vs Mountain Lion, are they different? Whats the deal? So, lets sort this out! Mountain lions are ferocious cats found throughout the Americas, but what about cougars? Is one worse than the other? Truthfully, cougars and mountain lions are the same animal species! They both belong to the Felidae cat family, and Puma concolor is their scientific name. These two animals are the same animal, but simply different names for them! With that being said, there are a few small differences between a cougar and a mountain lion.

Puma vs cougar vs mountain lion

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Our Associate portal can be found here. It is no surprise that the cougar holds the world record for having the most names associated with it. The cat is referred to by many names. There is no difference between these animals, and they are the same species referred to by different names in different regions. The cougar is a large felid from the subfamily Felinae.

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But the cats soon came to be viewed as varmints—killers of livestock. That includes forests, high mountains, deserts — and even urban jungles. The cougar is threatened by habitat loss , habitat fragmentation , and depletion of its prey base due to poaching. Conepatus Hog-nosed skunks Molina's hog-nosed skunk C. In humid ecosystems, the animals tend to be darker and reddish brown, while those living in colder regions are covered with thicker and longer silver-gray hair. According to figures in Texas in , 86 calves 0. Encountering one on a hike or in your neighborhood is unlikely. Retrieved May 23, Journal of Heredity. It is similar in size to the jaguar, and is found is a wide variety of habitats throughout the Americas. Remedial hunting enables younger males to enter the former territories of the older animals. Central America.

Cougar, mountain lion, and puma are all names for the same animal. Scientifically known as Puma concolor, this versatile species live across the Americas.

Sea otter E. The reason is that people from various countries, from Chile to Canada, have different names for it. Send Me Travel Emails. Retrieved April 12, African wild dog L. National Wildlife Federation is a c 3 non-profit organization. Archived from the original on June 4, Suborder Feliformia. During the mating season, estrus females produce caterwauls or yowls to attract mates and males respond with similar vocals. A denning site in Torres del Paine National Park. Tools Tools. Family Canidae includes dogs. Colorado Magazine.