Cougars (Felis concolor) are called
by several names. 
Sometimes they are called Mountain Lions, or Panthers,
Catamount or Painter and sometimes Pumas. They are colored in
solid tan or brown. The cubs are spotted. Cougars are found only
in North and South America. They are on average 8 feet long and
weigh 200 pounds. Unlike Old World lions, cougars scream rather
than roar.
Mountain Lions are secretive creatures
that are possibly the most widely distributed carnivore in the
New World. Cougars use stealth to capture their prey which consists
of deer and other mammals. They will hide in wait and then pounce
on the animal and bite the neck to kill it. They are solitary
animals and generally are active at night.
Breeding generally takes place in the summer.
The kittens will nurse for five or six weeks. They lose their
spots at about six months. They will stay with the mother for
up to two years.
The seven little plush cougars at top are:
a Mountain Lion Cuddlekins from Wild Republic. Next is
Pecos the Cougar from Aurora, also from Wild Republic
is a Mountain Lion with sound, then we have Charlie the
cougar from Jaag, and Johnnie the cougar from Jaag. In
back is Arizona the cougar from Jaag and at right is Phoenix,
also made by Jaag. Check the Gift
Shop to see if there are any Mountain Lions lurking there.
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