Where do cougars live, and what is their habitat like?

Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, have one of the largest ranges of any land mammal in the Americas. They are found from Canada to South America, thriving in diverse habitats such as forests, mountains, grasslands, and deserts.

Cougars prefer environments with dense vegetation, rocky terrain, or forested areas where they can stalk prey and remain hidden. They are highly adaptable and can live in remote wilderness areas as well as near human developments, as long as there is sufficient food and cover. Their ability to thrive in various landscapes has made them one of the most widespread big cats in the world.

What do cougars eat, and how do they find food?

Cougars are carnivores and primarily hunt deer, but they also eat smaller animals like rabbits, beavers, porcupines, and even birds when necessary. In some areas, they may prey on livestock or scavenge carcasses left by other predators.

Cougars rely on stealth and ambush tactics to catch their prey. They use their excellent eyesight and hearing to locate animals, then stalk them quietly using cover like trees and rocks. When close enough, they launch a powerful sprint and leap, using their strong jaws to deliver a fatal bite to the neck or skull. Unlike pack hunters, cougars hunt alone and often drag their kills to a hidden spot, returning to feed over several days.

What are some surprising or little-known facts about cougars?

They can leap up to 12 metres (40 feet) in a single bound!

Cougars have incredibly strong hind legs, allowing them to jump great distances both horizontally and vertically.

They have the longest range of any wild cat in the Americas!

Cougars are found from Canada to South America, adapting to diverse environments from forests to deserts.

They are excellent climbers and swimmers!

Cougars can scale trees with ease and swim across rivers when necessary, making them highly versatile hunters.