The puma is a large, graceful predator known for its secretive nature and wide distribution across the Americas. This impressive animal, which can weigh up to 220 pounds, often sparks confusion about its biological status. Many wonder if such a formidable creature is truly a “cat” like a lion or a housecat. The simple answer is yes, but its specific place within the biological cat family, Felidae, is more nuanced than its size suggests. Understanding the puma’s scientific classification and vocalization mechanics reveals how this animal fits into the larger feline family tree.
The Puma’s True Identity in Family Felidae
The puma, scientifically named Puma concolor, is classified within the Family Felidae, the biological grouping for all cats. Felidae is divided into two main subfamilies: Pantherinae, which contains the “big cats” like lions and tigers, and Felinae, which includes the smaller cats. Despite its large size, the puma belongs to the Felinae subfamily, placing it closer to domestic cats and lynxes than to the roaring cats of the Panthera genus.
The puma is a member of the Order Carnivora and the Genus Puma. Puma concolor is the genus’s only living species, though it is closely related to the jaguarundi. Evolutionary studies indicate that the common ancestor of the puma migrated into the Americas millions of years ago. While the puma is the second-largest cat in the Western Hemisphere after the jaguar, its genetic grouping aligns with the smaller felines.
Resolving the Name Confusion
Public uncertainty about the puma’s identity stems from its remarkable number of common names, which vary dramatically across its extensive range. Throughout the Americas, Puma concolor is known by at least forty names. The most frequently used names are puma, cougar, and mountain lion.
In the United States, “mountain lion” is widely used, particularly in the Western states, while “cougar” is more common in Canada. The term “panther” is also used, especially in the eastern US to refer to the endangered Florida subspecies. All of these labels refer to the single biological species, Puma concolor, highlighting why the consistent scientific name is relied upon to avoid ambiguity.
The Roar vs. Purr Divide
The most telling biological feature separating the puma from the “true big cats” is its vocal anatomy, specifically the structure of the hyoid apparatus, a set of bones supporting the tongue and larynx. Cats in the Panthera genus—lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards—have a hyoid bone that is only partially ossified, incorporating a flexible ligament. This arrangement gives the larynx the flexibility to produce a deep roar, but it prevents a continuous purr.
The puma, conversely, possesses a fully ossified hyoid apparatus, meaning the bones are rigid. This structure allows the larynx to vibrate against the hyoid bone, creating the low-frequency resonance known as a purr. The puma shares this fully ossified hyoid with domestic cats and other small felines. As a result, the puma can purr continuously, both on the inhale and the exhale, a capability the roaring cats lack.
This ability to purr, rather than roar, is the primary functional distinction that places the puma within the Felinae subfamily. The puma is classified as the largest of the “small cats” based on this crucial anatomical feature.