Cougars range throughout southwest Canada, the western United States and South America. They live in a wide range of habitats from forests and mountains to deserts, prairies and swamps. These fast-moving predators can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour. They can also jump as high as 18 feet vertically and leap up to 40 feet forward.
The life of a cougar
Adult male cougars grow seven to eight feet long, from head to tail tip. Females grow six to seven feet long. Males weight 140 to 175 pounds, while females rarely exceed 110 pounds. Males live up to 10 years in the wild while females live as long as 14 years.
Cougars prowl by night and day but are most active at dusk and dawn. Mating season occurs in June and July. After mating, females give birth to a litter of one to six kittens. Cubs are born with spots that disappear after about 18 months. They usually follow their mother for at least a year before becoming independent. Males do not play a role in parenting.
Cougars are apex predators that hunt by ambushing prey. They do not rely on scent to hunt like other big cats such as leopards, tigers and cheetahs. Instead, cougars use excellent hearing and eyesight to hunt undetected. Their prey includes large mammals like deer and elk, as well as smaller animals like raccoons, beaver, rabbits, mice and rodents.
Cougars at the zoo
Located in the Great Northwest area.
