Difference between puma and cougar

When talking about pumas and cougars, the first thing that comes to mind is wild cats or mountain lions.

National Parks. Did you know that mountain lions have the largest geographic range of any non-human land mammal in the Western Hemisphere? The reason is that people from various countries, from Chile to Canada, have different names for it. The animal also has a multitude of nicknames, such as the ghost of the Rockies, red tiger and mountain screamer, among others. However, these beauties come in a range of shades, from rust and grayish to a tawny tan, and their babies are spotted.

Difference between puma and cougar

Did you know the cougar holds one of the Guinness World Records for having the most names? Often called "the cat of many names," it's referred to as the puma, panther, mountain cat, mountain lion, mountain screamer, painter and catamount, just to name a few. In fact, the cougar has more monikers than almost any other living mammal, around 40 in English alone. The reason: The name used depends on location, and there are a lot of those to be had. Due to the cougar's knack for adaptability — think a fast and powerful muscular body, sharp eyesight and keen hearing, as well as the ability to swim, climb trees and jump long distances — this cat can be seen thriving in many varied habitats, from the Southern Andes in South America to the Yukon in Canada, and everywhere from forests to open areas with sparse vegetation. Current mountain lion ranges in the western portion of the U. For example, he explains, the Incas called the animal puma, while the name cougar is a version of the old South American Indian word cuguacuarana which was shortened to cuguar , and then spelled differently. Panther, meanwhile, is a generic term for any large cat with a solid-colored coat, and mountain lion was probably coined by Spanish explorers who labeled it both leon lion and gato monte cat of the mountain. No matter what you call the cougar, however, it's still the same cat — Puma concolor the scientific name was changed from Felis concolor in recent decades — and it's recognized as the largest of the small cat species. The short answer is no, because they are from the same species, but there do tend to be some slight contrasts in overall size due to geographical concerns, diet and climate. In general, most cougars have slender bodies, with somewhat round heads and erect ears, and display a solid, tawny-colored coat which is how they got the name "concolor" , complete with a whitish underside and slightly dark hair covering the back. In humid ecosystems, the animals tend to be darker and reddish brown, while those living in colder regions are covered with thicker and longer silver-gray hair. Cougars are powerfully built, with large paws, retractable claws and sharp carnivorous teeth.

What's in a name?

What's the difference between a puma, a cougar and a mountain lion? Learn more about these powerful predators, including how to identify them, their different names and where they live. The puma Puma concolor is a large cat belonging to the felidae family. It is similar in size to the jaguar, and is found is a wide variety of habitats throughout the Americas. It is also known as the cougar, mountain lion and a number of other names. The six or, by some counts, seven subspecies are known by a plethora of names throughout their range, which spans 22 countries from southern Alaska to the tip of Tierra del Fuego. Found from Yukon, in northern Canada, right down to the southern Andes, the puma Puma concolor has the largest range of any native land mammal in the western hemisphere.

Pumas vs. Cougars: What's the Difference? Pumas and cougars are two names for the same animal, a large wild cat native to the Americas, known scientifically as Puma concolor. Pumas, also known as cougars, are large wild cats native to the Americas. They are solitary and elusive, primarily hunting deer and other mammals. Cougars are known for their adaptability, inhabiting various environments from forests to deserts.

Difference between puma and cougar

India is known to be the homeland of many wild exotic species for both plants and animals. Even in unexplored mountain ranges and deep forests, one could find many endemic species there which are not even explored or studied. Pumas and cougars are different names for the same species of a large feline, Puma concolor. This is so because to easily stalk upon their prey like — deer, goats, bighorn sheep, etc. These are heavy that is so because, on average, puma weighs around pounds. On an average basis, cougar weighs up to pounds, and they are native to the ranges of the southern Andes and northern Yukon. The size of the cougars is said to be up to 8 feet. Pumas is a cat family member and native to North and South America.

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Large carnivore monitoring is a difficult endeavor, and mountain lions Puma concolor , with their nondescript pelage, secretive nature, and vast home ranges, are no exception. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. South America. Puma women are seen hanging out in the bars and clubs. Last Name. The cougar is capable of breaking the neck of some of its smaller prey with a strong bite, and then with momentum, bearing the animal to the ground. Click on the title bar to view the abstract and the link to the article. Is there a specific region of interest? Author Recent Posts. The following organizations are actively protecting the declining populations of Pumas. But people like to live and play in or near natural habitats, so we need to understand and respect the wildlife that lives there. Select up to three African Safaris. In scientific classification taxonomy the Puma Puma concolor belongs to the genus Puma within the small cat subfamily Felinae of the Felidae cat family.

The puma is the big cat of the Americas. Because these cats were found in so many places, local tribes or explorers had their own name for the large felines, including cougar, mountain lion, Florida panther and catamount. In fact, there are more than 80 names for the puma, more names than any other animal, according to the book " Cougar: The American Lion ," by Kevin Hansen.

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. That means they attempt to position their teeth between the vertebrae and into the spinal cord, sometimes resulting in fatal neck, head and spinal injuries. Request Catalog. Mountain lions can also growl, hiss, mew, yowl, squeak, spit, and purr to get their message across with other cats, and they are known for a short, high-pitched scream and a whistle-like call. Jaguarundi Herpailurus yagouaroundi. Cubs, meanwhile, are patterned with spots and stripes that fade with age. With the exception of humans, the mountain lion has the largest range of any terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, from northern British Columbia to Argentina. Difference Between Pumas and Cougars. Cougars emit low-pitched purrs and growls, and unlike other lions, they cannot roar but instead scream, hence the name "mountain screamer. South America. Last Name. Encountering one on a hike or in your neighborhood is unlikely. These robust felines are ambush predators who stalk their prey around dawn and dusk before pouncing and killing it with their strong jaws. Hi there, Welcome to Wild Cat Family and thank you for visiting our website. You may have heard of the Florida panther.