The Cougar Technically Isn't a 'Big Cat'

Mountain lions are powerful, agile predators, with adult males typically weighing between 120 to 220 pounds (54.4 to 99.8 kilograms) and females weighing less, around 64 to 100 pounds (29 to 45.4 kilograms). Despite being large cats, cougars do not typically fall within the "big cats" category.

With long, muscular limbs and large paws that help them navigate steep terrain and leap great distances, cougars are fast and strong. Their coat is typically a uniform tan or reddish-brown, providing excellent camouflage in various habitats, from dense forests to open plains.

One of the most striking features of cougars is their long tail, which can measure up to one-third of their body length. This tail helps with balance, especially when chasing prey or navigating through rocky landscapes.

Cougars have keen eyesight and hearing, making them formidable hunters capable of silently stalking and ambushing their prey.

Cougars are highly adaptable, leading to the development of several recognized subspecies across their vast range. Here are two common ones.

Cougars are solitary animals, with the exception of mothers raising their young. Adult male cougars are especially territorial and will defend their range from other adult males. The size of a cougar's territory depends on the availability of prey species and the density of the local cougar population. Adult females typically have smaller territories that may overlap with those of one or more males.

Mating season for cougars can occur at any time of the year, although it is more common in winter and early spring. During this time, males and females come together briefly to mate, but otherwise, they lead solitary lives. After mating, the male leaves, and the female raises the cougar kittens on her own.

Cougars are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on meat as their primary source of nutrition. They can take down various prey species. Their diet primarily consists of large prey such as deer, elk and bighorn sheep, but they also hunt smaller animals like rabbits and rodents.

Mountain lions are ambush predators, relying on stealth and surprise to catch their prey. They typically stalk their prey quietly, getting as close as possible before pouncing with a powerful leap. Once they catch their prey, they deliver a fatal bite to the neck or throat. After a successful hunt, cougars often drag their kill to a secluded area to eat, sometimes covering the carcass with leaves or dirt to hide it from scavengers.

In areas where natural prey is scarce, cougars may turn to hunting livestock or pets, which can lead to conflicts with humans.

You can find cougars in diverse habitats across North and South America, including forests, mountains, deserts and even wetlands.

In southern California, mountain lions navigate the urban-wildland interface, crossing highways and entering suburban areas in search of food and mates. In contrast, the Florida panther inhabits the swamps and forests of southern Florida. This wide distribution also means that cougars face a variety of threats depending on their location, from habitat loss to human encroachment and climate change.

The life cycle of a cougar begins with a litter of two to four cougar kittens, born after a gestation period of about 90 to 96 days.

Cougar kittens start off with spotted coats to help them blend into their surroundings. They eventually fade as the kittens grow older, usually disappearing by the time they are six months old. The mother is solely responsible for raising the kittens, teaching them how to hunt and survive in the wild.

Cougar kittens stay with their mother for about 18 to 24 months, during which time they learn the skills necessary to become independent. As they reach maturity, young cougars leave their mothers to establish their own territories.

Adult cougars can live up to 10 to 12 years in the wild, though many do not reach this age due to the dangers they face from humans, disease and competition with other predators.

Cougar populations are currently stable in many parts of their range, but they face significant challenges in the form of habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and hunting.

The Florida panther is one of the most critically endangered cougar subspecies, with only about 120 to 230 remaining in the wild. Conservation efforts for the Florida panther focus on habitat preservation, road crossings to prevent vehicle collisions and genetic diversity programs to combat the effects of inbreeding.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was edited and fact-checked by a HowStuffWorks editor.