Panther vs. Cougar: Different Names for the Same Cat

Panther, cougar, mountain lion, puma, catamount — these names all refer to the same animal: Puma concolor.

Found across North and South America, this species holds the record for the most common local names of any wild cat. In the western United States, they're mountain lions. In Florida, they're Florida panthers. In South America, they're often called pumas or "gato monte."

European settlers coined many of these names based on sightings and local lore. Despite the variety, all refer to the same big cat with a tawny brown coat, great jumping power, and sharp claws.

Florida panthers are a subspecies of Puma concolor living in South Florida. They're physically similar to other cougars but face unique environmental threats. Urban development, habitat loss, and road traffic have made them one of the most endangered animals in North America.

To combat genetic problems from inbreeding, conservationists introduced eight female cougars from Texas. These efforts have helped bolster the population, but Florida panthers remain at risk.

Many experts cite human encroachment as the biggest threat to their survival.

Mountain lions are large cats with powerful builds. Their muscular hind legs and flexible spine give them the ability to leap more than 40 feet (12 meters) horizontally. Large paws and sharp claws help them catch and hold prey, while a long tail provides balance.

These cats are adapted for stealth. They rely on powerful hind legs and strong front legs to stalk and ambush prey, usually deer or smaller mammals.

Despite their large size, cougars are more closely related to smaller felines (like the domestic cat) than to lions or leopards.

There's no such thing as a black cougar. Reports of black panthers in North America usually refer to melanistic jaguars or leopards — species that do not overlap much with cougar populations.

In the Americas, black panthers are most likely melanistic jaguars (Panthera onca), found primarily in Central and South America.

So while the term "black panther" is often used in popular culture, it doesn’t apply to Puma concolor. If you see a panther in Florida, it's not black. It's just another name for a mountain lion.

Cougars inhabit a wide range — from colder climates in Canada to the warm jungles of South America. They're found across the entire Western Hemisphere and are considered top predators. Their home ranges can span thousands of acres depending on food availability and terrain.

As cities and suburbs expand, cougar populations increasingly come into contact with humans. This leads to more frequent encounters, often involving livestock or pets. Some cat owners in cougar country take precautions like leaving food indoors and securing pets at night.

Cougars are solitary animals with large territories. Males and females only come together briefly to mate, and female cougars raise their young alone.

Despite being adaptable, their populations are fragmented by roads, fences, and urban sprawl.

Conservation efforts vary by region. In Florida, it's focused on protecting habitat and genetic diversity. In other areas, efforts include monitoring home range size, managing human-wildlife conflicts, and educating the public.

These big cats are also protected in many regions, though illegal hunting and habitat loss still threaten some populations. Habitat corridors, road crossings, and wildlife protection laws are key tools for ensuring their survival and preventing this species from becoming an officially endangered animal.

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