Cougars, known by many names such as mountain lions or pumas, are wild cats inhabiting a vast range across the Americas. Their size often leads to questions about whether they are considered “big cats” in a scientific sense. While their size might suggest a place among the largest felines, the biological definition of “big cat” relies on specific anatomical characteristics. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the cougar’s place within the cat family.
What Defines a Big Cat?
The term “big cat” holds a specific scientific meaning, referring to members of the genus Panthera. This genus includes species like lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and snow leopards. A defining anatomical feature for most of these cats is their ability to produce a full-throated roar. This vocalization is possible due to a unique vocal apparatus that includes a flexible hyoid bone and specialized vocal cords.
These roaring cats possess a hyoid bone that is not fully hardened (ossified). This flexibility, along with elastic ligaments and specialized vocal folds, allows for a greater range of vibration in the larynx, producing the deep, resonant sound of a roar. This physical characteristic, rather than mere size, is the primary scientific criterion for classifying a cat as a “big cat” within the Panthera genus.
Where Cougars Fit in the Cat Family
Despite their considerable size, cougars are not classified within the Panthera genus. Cougars belong to the genus Puma, with their species name being Puma concolor. This places them in the subfamily Felinae, which includes smaller cat species like domestic cats, lynxes, and bobcats. Cougars are the largest members of this subfamily.
The key distinction lies in their vocal anatomy. Unlike roaring big cats, cougars possess a completely ossified (hardened) hyoid bone. This anatomical structure prevents them from roaring. Instead, cougars communicate through a variety of other sounds, including purrs, hisses, growls, whistles, chirps, and even a distinct scream. Their ability to purr continuously aligns them with smaller felines.
Why the Confusion About Cougars?
The widespread confusion regarding cougars as “big cats” primarily stems from their imposing physical size and predatory capabilities. Cougars are substantial animals, with adult males often weighing between 60 to 200 pounds and measuring up to 8 feet long from nose to tail. Their strength and hunting prowess allow them to prey on animals significantly larger than themselves, including deer and other ungulates. This impressive stature and role as an apex predator leads people to associate them with the larger, roaring felines.
Another significant factor contributing to the misconception is the cougar’s extensive list of common names. With over 40 English names and more than 80 total names across different languages, the cougar holds the Guinness World Record for the mammal with the most monikers. Names like “mountain lion” or “panther” (especially the Florida panther subspecies) often create a misleading association with true lions or the broad term “panther,” which can refer to black leopards or jaguars. These names, combined with their large size, visually link them to the Panthera genus in the public imagination, despite the scientific classification based on their unique vocal anatomy.