North American Mountain Lions are known by more names than any other of the large Exotic Cats.They are referred to as Pumas, Panthers, Painters, American Lions, Mexican Lions, Deer Tigers, Catamounts (cat on a mountain), and Cougars. The scientific name for this cat is Puma Concolor Cougar, so I will refer to them as Cougars in this article.

One of nature's most powerful hunters, the cougar can take down prey ten times it's weight. They have excellent eyesight and hearing, can run swiftly (up to 35 miles per hour), are agile climbers, and can swim. This cat can jump 15 feet high, and make a 40 feet broad jump.

These large, powerful, tawny brown cats are equally at home in mountains, deserts, and jungles. Their current range includes Canada, North America ( west of the great plains and in Southern Florida) , Mexico, and Central and South America. In fact, they have the most extensive range of any terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere.

Cougars have small ears, a long neck, and a slim elongated body - of which 1/3 is tail. When full grown they usually weigh between 150 - 200 pounds. Adults are tan with a darker coloration on both sides of the muzzle, the backs of their ears, and the tip of their tails. Kittens are mottled with black spots, and have ringed tails until they reach six months of age.. Females can begin breeding at three years, mate during any season, and usually have one to six kittens after a gestation period of 82 - 98 days. Kittens may remain with their mothers into their second year. When the cougar does leave it's mother it becomes a solitary living animal that can live up to twenty years.

Cougars use various sounds, Chirps, Peeps, Purrs, Growls, Moans, Whistles and Screams, to communicate. Because their vocalizations are low, and the large heavily padded feet keep their movements quiet, they have been called "Nature's Masters of Silent Stealth".

The name Puma was given to them by the Inca Indians. The history and fables surrounding this animal are still told by the ancestors of the Native American People of our Country. Through the years the cougar's extreme illusiveness has made them difficult both to see and to understand. Perhaps that is the reason they're known by so many names by different people.

I believe that John Seidensticker said it best......."Pumas are like a light summer breeze. When they are around you know it - you can feel it , but you don't see it."

Essay and Photos by Penny Iles