The mountain lion is also known as the panther, cougar, puma, catamount, and gato monte (cat of the mountain), to name just a few. These critters have so many names because of their huge demographic. They live from Canada, down to Argentina. Pumas living in warm or humid climates are usually a dark, reddish-brown color, and those found in colder climates have thicker, longer hair that is silver-gray in color.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Puma concolor
Weight: Up to 220 lbs.
Height: Up to 3 feet, at the shoulder
Length: Up to 5 feet long, plus their 3 foot long tail
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Cougars are typically nocturnal (active at night) hunters, but are also sometimes crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
2.) These solitary hunters cover a lot of ground with hunting territories ranging from up to 30 square miles, for females, and up to 100 square miles for males!
3.) Panthers can be found in 21 of 23 countries, in the Americas! Due to this they hold the Guinness world record for the animal with the greatest number of common names. Talk about an identity crisis.
4.) They can run up to 43 MPH! So, if you come across one, don’t bother trying to outrun it.
5.) The typical sounds they make are squeaks, whistles, growls, yowls, purrs, and hisses. They also occasionally make their famous roar (listen below).
But wait, there’s more on the mountain lion!
To view more facts on this and many other critters, purchase my book Rainforest Critters. It’s only $17.99 for an 84 page book! Available now through Amazon. Click the logo to purchase your copy now:
Now a Short Mountain Lion Video!
Now Hear Their Telltale Roar!
Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel. Videos added frequently!
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