A puma is a mountain lion. Both names refer to the same species of large cat, Puma concolor, found across the Americas. These common names, along with others, are recognized and used interchangeably.
The Many Names of a Single Species
This animal holds the Guinness World Record for having the greatest number of common names, with over 40 different monikers in English alone. The confusion stems from the cat’s immense geographic range, which stretches across two continents and many cultures. As early European explorers and settlers encountered the cat in distinct regions, they gave it new names, often based on local indigenous terms or misinterpretations.
The name “puma” originates from the Quechua language of the Andes region in South America. In contrast, “mountain lion” is most frequently used in the Western United States, derived from the Spanish term gato monte, meaning “cat of the mountain.” The term “cougar” is widely used in Canada and the Eastern United States, tracing its roots back to the Tupi language of Brazil. The name “panther” is also sometimes used, particularly in the southeastern United States to refer to the Florida panther, which is a subspecies of Puma concolor. Another regional name, “catamount,” is a shortened version of “cat of the mountain” and was once common in New England.
Defining Characteristics and Size
The physical characteristics of Puma concolor are consistent across its range, though size fluctuates based on latitude and prey availability. Despite its substantial size, the species is classified as a “small cat” because it possesses a bony structure in its throat that allows it to purr but prevents it from producing a true roar. The average weight for a male in North America is around 62 kilograms (136 pounds), though some rare individuals can exceed 100 kilograms.
Females are smaller than males, averaging about 42 kilograms, making males approximately 40 to 60 percent heavier. The body length of an adult typically measures around 1.2 meters (4 feet), which is complemented by a long, cylindrical tail that adds another 0.75 meters (2.5 feet). This long tail is thought to provide balance for the cat’s highly athletic movements.
Their species name, concolor, is Latin for “of one color,” a reference to their uniform coat, which is typically a plain tawny, brownish-red, or grayish-brown. Adult pumas do not have spots, though cubs are born with distinct dark spots that fade away as they mature. The cat also has powerful hind legs, which enable it to leap up to 6 meters (20 feet) straight up a cliff face and perform downhill jumps of over 9 meters (30 feet).
North and South American Range
Puma concolor has the most extensive distribution of any wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, spanning 23 countries. Its historical range stretched from the Yukon in Canada down to the southern tip of the Andes in Patagonia. This geographical spread is a primary reason for the animal’s numerous common names, as human populations encountered it across vastly diverse landscapes.
The species is known for its adaptability, thriving in nearly every American habitat type from sea level to elevations over 5,800 meters (19,000 feet). These habitats include dense montane coniferous forests, lowland tropical jungles, arid desert scrub, and swampy areas. The ability to inhabit mountainous regions, forests, and even grasslands has allowed the species to maintain its vast range.
While the population remains robust in the Western United States and throughout Central and South America, the species was largely eliminated from the eastern half of North America. Today, the only established population east of the Mississippi River is the critically endangered Florida panther subspecies. In the Western U.S., the cat is common in wilderness areas, and its adaptability allows it to persist even in fragmented habitats near human development.