6 interesting facts about the cougar: a nursing mother can be hunted in the USA

When we talk about the cougar, or mountain lion, everyone thinks of big cats, but in reality, they are closer to the smaller wild cats or the domestic cats. This is also indicated by their classification, as they belong to the subfamily of Felinae, which includes small wild cats. Despite their large size, they cannot roar like big cats, but they emit a spine-chilling human-like scream and can also purr. One thing is for sure, the following article won't be boring!

Below you can read interesting facts about the life, habits, and appearance of the cougar, one of the most widely distributed wild cats in modern world.

1. Humans intruding into their territory

Although the taxonomic study of cats is still partial, we already have some relevant information. The latest research on cats has revealed that the common ancestor of today’s Leopardus, Lynx, Puma, Prionailurus, and Felis genus migrated to America via the Bering land bridge 8-8.5 million years ago, and the descendants separated in this order. The cougar is native to North, Central, and South America. Its closest relatives are the jaguarundi and the cheetah.

It seems like we hear more and more about cougar attacks in these areas, but there is another side to the coin. Cougars are generally shy around humans but are territorial animals. Due to the expansion of farms and human habitats, it often happens that we intrude into cougar territory. So it is not surprising that this predator will not tolerate it without a reaction. Experts say it’s not wise to run away from it and pretending to be dead won’t work either if it attacks us; we must find a way to fight back. Loud shouting can also help.

The howl of a cougar in the night:

2. Even nursing mothers can be hunted

The cougar has been admired and valued by the Incas, Aztecs, and other Native Americans. In certain states of the United States, cougars can be kept as pets, but this requires a permit and compliance with numerous strict rules. Since the cougar population is huge, it is the only animal (except for California), that can be hunted throughout America, even if it’s a nursing mother.

3. Key figure in the ecosystem

Of course, it’s generally true for all living beings that they play an important role in the ecosystem, but this is particularly true for the cougar. Studies on its ecology have shown that in areas inhabited by cougars, they interact with 485 other species directly or indirectly. This includes consuming other species as prey, the effects of prey animals’ fear, the effects of carcasses left behind, or the influences on competition with other predator species.

4. Not a scavenger, but…

Although the cougar is capable of a quick sprint, it primarily ambushes its prey at the right moment. It can snap the neck of smaller prey with a single bite, but it generally prefers larger prey animals. It can take down and drag prey up to seven times its own weight (36-120 kg). However, it has been observed to opportunistically hunt smaller prey if the situation presents itself. It hides the larger prey and returns to it for days to feed. Although not a scavenger, when deer carcasses were placed in California for research purposes, they were scavenged by cougars.

While not as fast as a cheetah or as strong as a jaguar, it can leap up to 6 meters forward from a standing position and as high as 2.5 meters vertically from a standing position. It has the longest hind legs among cats, allowing for this astounding performance.

5. The cougar’s sense of smell is not the best

Mountain lions rely on their vision and hearing while hunting, not on their sense of smell. Although their sense of smell is about 30 times better than ours, it’s not very advanced compared to other predators.

6. Once upon a time there was a Hollywood cougar

The world’s most famous cougar was an animal named P-22, whose father was P-001, the first cougar equipped with a tracking collar by the National Park Service. Born in the Santa Monica Mountains, P-22 left its birthplace to establish its own territory. Along the way, it crossed some of the world’s busiest highways to reach Griffith Park in Los Angeles, part of the Hollywood Hills.

P-22:

It lived there for 10 years; sadly, it had to be euthanized in December 2022. When captured to check its health, the results showed severe organ failure, likely a consequence of being hit by a car.