Puma Animal Information

A puma is also known as a mountain lion or cougar or panther. It is a large, graceful cat that belongs to the felidae family. Although pumas are large cats, they are not classified under the 'big cat' category. They are, instead, one of the largest cats of the 'small cat' category, even though some of them can be of the size of a leopard. Puma animal information will help us know the basic characteristics and features of the animal, Puma.

Their Description: Pumas have an evenly-colored fur, sans any patterns, ranging from brown, tawny, silver grey or reddish brown. They either have short or medium length fur, depending on the climate where they stay. Adult pumas measure up to 8 feet in length. They stand between 2 to 2.5 feet tall at the shoulder and males weigh around 115 to 160 pound and females weigh around 75 to 105 pounds. Their front legs are larger than the hind legs. The forelegs are adapted for grasping prey. They have strong vision and acute hearing, which make them very good hunters.

Their Habitat: Pumas have a wide habitat range. They are most abundant in mountain ranges and in dense forests. They are also found in the desert regions. It can also live in open plains, coniferous and tropical forests and swamps.

Their Diet: As pumas have a wide range of habitat, their diet is also varied. Their main diet consists of deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep. They also occasionally eat birds, large insects and small rodents.

Reproduction and Lifespan: Female pumas give birth to one to three babies that are known as kittens or cubs. Cubs are spotted with blue eyes. Maternal dens are usually caves or other covered areas to protect the cubs from predators. They start hunting small prey on their own by the time they become 6 months old. Cubs leave their mother and establish their own territory by 2 years of age. The life span of an adult puma is 12 years, approximately.

Their Behavior: Pumas usually avoid areas where there are human settlements. They are frightened by loud noises. They usually do not withdraw, unless they feel concerned or threatened. The territories of females are almost half the size of males; they mark their territories with scrape marks, urine or faeces, to attract the males. Apart from the mating season, they always stay alone. Groups of pumas contain mothers and their young ones. Pumas are vocal cats and well known for the low pitched hisses, growls, purrs and screams. They are able to leap very high as they have the largest hind legs in the cat family. Puma kittens should never be approached, because this may cause the mother to attack, in order to protect them.

Their Conservation Status: The population of pumas is declining at an alarming rate. Humans are a major threat for them. Puma-hunting is prohibited in various places and a Cougar cannot be legally killed in California. Although puma hunting is restricted in many states, their killings are on a rise as per statistics.