It is a common source of confusion for the public to hear the terms puma, cougar, and mountain lion seemingly used to describe different animals. These various names suggest that multiple species of large cats exist throughout the Americas. This difference in terminology is purely linguistic, masking the reality that all these names refer to a single, highly adaptable species of feline. The resolution lies in the history of how people encountered and named this animal across its vast range.
One Animal, Many Common Names
The definitive answer is that “puma” and “cougar” are simply two of the many common names for the exact same animal. This species holds the Guinness World Record for the animal with the greatest number of names, boasting over 40 in English alone. The differences are purely geographic, reflecting the regional languages and cultures of the European settlers who first encountered the cat.
The name “cougar” is most commonly used in the United States and Canada, and is believed to be derived from the Portuguese word çuçuarana, which itself came from the Tupi language. “Puma,” on the other hand, is the name most often used in South America, originating from the Quechua language of the Inca people, and is also common in European scientific literature.
Across the American West, “mountain lion” is a widely accepted term, stemming from the Spanish explorers’ use of leon (lion) and gato monte (cat of the mountain). Other regional names include “catamount” (a shortened version of “cat of the mountain”). The cat is also called “painter” or “panther,” especially in the southeastern United States.
Understanding the Scientific Classification
While common names are ambiguous, the scientific classification confirms that all these names refer to the species Puma concolor. This designation means the animal is recognized worldwide as a single biological entity. The species belongs to the genus Puma, placing it within the subfamily Felinae (smaller cats), rather than the Pantherinae (which includes lions and tigers).
Historically, the species was classified as Felis concolor before being placed in its own genus, Puma. Its scientific name, Puma concolor, translates roughly to “cat of one color,” although young are born with spots that fade as they mature. The use of this binomial name eliminates the ambiguity inherent in common language, providing a universal reference for researchers and conservationists globally.
Shared Physical Characteristics and Range
All animals referred to as pumas, cougars, or mountain lions share physical characteristics, including a muscular, slender body and a long, cylindrical tail. The tail is often one-third of the animal’s total length. The coat color is typically a solid, tawny hue, ranging from yellowish-brown to grayish-brown on the upper parts, with a paler underside. Males are significantly larger than females, generally weighing between 53 and 72 kilograms, while females typically weigh between 34 and 48 kilograms.
A distinguishing characteristic of this species is its inability to roar like the “big cats” of the genus Panthera; instead, it communicates through hisses, purrs, and yowls. This animal possesses the largest geographic range of any native terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, stretching from the Yukon in Canada down to the Andes Mountains in South America. This massive distribution, covering a huge variety of habitats including forests, deserts, and mountains, is the fundamental reason why so many different local names developed for this one widespread species.