The cougar (Puma concolor), known also as the mountain lion or puma, is an adaptable predator found across the Americas, from Canada down to the Andes mountains. This apex hunter is an obligate carnivore, meaning its diet consists exclusively of meat. Cougars are highly opportunistic ambush hunters, and their flexible diet confirms that they do consume rabbits. Prey selection is largely dictated by what is most readily available in their specific habitat.
Rabbits as Opportunistic Prey
Rabbits and hares, including cottontails and jackrabbits, are a regular component of the cougar’s diet, though they are secondary to larger animals in terms of total biomass consumed. The consumption of smaller prey is opportunistic, providing a convenient meal that requires less energy and risk to subdue than large ungulates. This category also includes various rodents, raccoons, and other small mammals found within the cougar’s territory.
While a single rabbit provides a lower caloric return, these smaller catches are important gap-fillers, especially when the pursuit of larger prey is unsuccessful. Young, inexperienced cougars often rely more heavily on rabbits as they hone their hunting skills before they can consistently take down adult deer or elk. Rabbits become a more significant food source when the populations of the cougar’s preferred, larger prey are scarce.
The Primary Diet of the Cougar
Despite consuming rabbits, the bulk of a cougar’s diet comes from large hoofed mammals known as ungulates. Deer species, such as mule deer and white-tailed deer, make up the majority of the cougar’s diet in North America, often accounting for over 60% of their prey. Other substantial prey include elk, moose, and bighorn sheep, which are targeted by larger cougars, particularly males.
Cougars are built to take down these animals, typically killing a deer-sized ungulate once every week to ten days. A female cougar with growing kittens may need to increase this rate, killing prey much more frequently. The necessity of these large, high-calorie kills is a function of the cougar’s size and energy requirements.
Habitat and Prey Availability
The cougar is a generalist predator, and its dietary choices are strongly tied to the ecological landscape it inhabits. Different habitats, from mountainous terrain to arid scrubland, offer varying mixes of prey species. The availability of cover for ambush hunting is also a factor, as cougars rely on stealth.
In regions with high populations of rabbits and a lower density of deer, the cougar’s diet will naturally shift toward smaller mammals. This adaptability is evident near areas of human development, where a decrease in ungulates can lead cougars to prey more frequently on common animals like rabbits and domestic livestock. Seasonal variation also plays a role, with cougars sometimes diversifying their diet with smaller prey when larger animals are harder to find.