The Cougar is known by many names including Mountain Lion, Catamount, Puma and Panther. It is found from the Yukon to the southern Andes in South America. It has been extirpated from eastern North America except for a small population in Florida. It is also suspected to still live in northern Quebec and northern Ontario. They prefer dense habitats and rocky areas. Cougars are solitary animals.



The Cougar is the second larges cat in the Americas (after the Jaguar). Males stand 60 – 90 cm (24 -35 in) at the shoulder with an average length of 1.5 – 2.75 m (4.9 – 9 ft) head to tail. They weigh 53 – 100 kg (115 – 220 lb).



They are exclusive carnivores and eat a wide variety of animals from large deer and elk to mice. Studies have shown 68% of their diet is deer.



Females give birth to 1 – 6 young who stay with her for about two years before striking out on their own.

Fun Facts

Cougars cannot roar. They do hiss, growl and purr. Cougars are usually tawny in colour but can vary from silver grey to reddish. They are never black.