The terms “puma” and “cougar” often cause confusion, leading many to believe they are different animals. This widespread misconception stems from the diverse naming conventions for a single species found across a vast geographical range. Understanding the origins of these names and the animal’s shared biological characteristics clarifies this common inquiry.
One Species, Many Names
Despite the variety of names, “puma,” “cougar,” “mountain lion,” and “catamount” all refer to the same animal: Puma concolor. This large feline holds the distinction of having the most common names of any mammal, reflecting its extensive distribution across the Americas.
Indigenous to North, Central, and South America, Puma concolor is the most widely distributed wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. It is also the second-largest cat in the New World, surpassed only by the jaguar. Despite its size, it is classified as a “small cat” because, unlike “big cats” such as lions and tigers, it purrs rather than roars. Its vocalizations include:
- Low-pitched hisses
- Growls
- Purrs
- Yowls
- Screams
The Origin of the Names
The multitude of names for Puma concolor largely arises from its expansive habitat and the various cultures that encountered it. The name “puma” originates from the Quechua language of the Inca civilization in South America, meaning “powerful animal.” This term was introduced into English via Spanish.
The name “cougar” derives from the French “couguar,” an adaptation of a Portuguese word from a Tupi language, possibly meaning “deer-like animal.” “Mountain lion” is a descriptive English name, likely from early Spanish explorers who called the animal “leon” (lion) and “gato monte” (cat of the mountain). This term first appeared in writing around 1858.
Common Traits and Characteristics
Puma concolor are large, slender cats with uniform tawny, yellowish-brown, or grayish-brown fur on their upper bodies and paler, whitish bellies. Distinct black markings are often visible on the sides of their muzzle, behind their ears, and on the tip of their long, muscular tail. The tail alone can account for about one-third of the animal’s total length.
Adult males are generally larger than females, with males averaging around 62 kg (136 pounds) and females about 42 kg (93 pounds), although some males can exceed 100 kg. Their total body length, from nose to tail, typically ranges from 6 to 8 feet. These adaptable felines inhabit a wide variety of environments, from the Canadian Yukon down to the southern Andes, including forests, deserts, grasslands, and swamps, favoring areas with ample cover and prey.
Puma concolor are primarily ambush predators, relying on stealth to surprise their prey. Their diet mainly consists of ungulates, particularly deer, but they are opportunistic hunters and will also prey on smaller mammals like rodents and rabbits, and occasionally birds or domestic livestock. They often cache their larger kills, covering them with debris to return and feed on later. These cats are largely solitary animals, except when mothers are raising their cubs or during the brief mating season. They maintain territories, with males typically having larger ranges that may overlap with those of several females. While they can be active at any time, they are often most active during dawn and dusk.