The mountain lion, also known as the cougar or puma, is a large feline found across the Americas. Adults are known for their sleek, uniform coat of tawny or light brown fur, reflected in their scientific name, Puma concolor (“cat of one color”). However, the young, often called cubs or kittens, look different from their solid-colored parents. Their appearance is a masterpiece of natural camouflage, designed for survival in their earliest months.
Distinctive Physical Characteristics
A newborn mountain lion cub weighs only about 7 to 16 ounces at birth. The base color of their fur is typically a pale tan or grayish hue, serving as a canvas for heavy, dark brown or black spots covering their entire body.
The spots also create dark markings around the muzzle and ears, along with several dark rings encircling their short tails. This spotted and striped pattern is a form of disruptive coloration, helping the immobile cub blend seamlessly into the dappled light and shadow of their den site.
Mountain lion cubs are born blind, with their eyes sealed shut. When their eyes open, they display a brilliant, temporary blue color. This initial blue color will eventually change to the amber or gold eyes characteristic of the adult mountain lion.
Developmental Milestones and Changes
The cub’s early development involves changes in physical ability. After their eyes open, they remain largely immobile before developing motor skills and beginning to explore the immediate den area.
A significant physical change is the gradual fading of their patterned coat as they grow. The dark spots start to disappear as the cub matures and begins to travel with its mother. This process usually begins around three months of age and is completed by the time the cub is six to nine months old.
The temporary blue eye color also transforms, changing to the adult’s characteristic yellow or amber hue. This color change can be completed by six months, though it may take up to 16 months. During this period of rapid growth, the cubs progress from less than a pound at birth to 15 to 20 pounds by three months and 35 to 45 pounds by six months.
Early Life and Maternal Care
Mountain lion kittens are born in secluded nursery sites chosen by the mother for safety. These dens are often located in sheltered areas, such as rock crevices, under heavy thickets, or in caves. The mother gives birth to a litter of two to four cubs after a gestation period of around 90 days.
Male mountain lions play no role in raising the young. The mother must leave the den to hunt, often leaving the kittens alone for extended periods during their first six to eight weeks of life. She nurses the kittens for about seven weeks before they transition to solid food.
The cubs are entirely dependent on their mother for 18 to 24 months. This time is spent learning essential survival skills, including how to stalk, hunt, and navigate their territory. Once independent, the young mountain lions disperse to establish their own home ranges.