Difference between puma and cougar

What's in a name? Mountain lion, puma, cougar, panther—this cat is known by more names than just about any other mammal! Mostly because it has such a large range, and people from different countries have called it different things.

Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus. Jaguarundi Herpailurus yagouaroundi. In scientific classification taxonomy the Puma Puma concolor belongs to the genus Puma within the small cat subfamily Felinae of the Felidae cat family. Family: Felidae cats. Note: The scientific name for the Puma or Cougar or Mountain Lion species, Puma concolor, is also known as the binomial name, species name, latin name, biological name or zoological name. Some use the term 'botanical name' however that term is only applicable to the plant kingdom botany and not the animal kingdom zoology.

Difference between puma and cougar

Did you know the cougar holds one of the Guinness World Records for having the most names? Often called "the cat of many names," it's referred to as the puma, panther, mountain cat, mountain lion, mountain screamer, painter and catamount, just to name a few. In fact, the cougar has more monikers than almost any other living mammal, around 40 in English alone. The reason: The name used depends on location, and there are a lot of those to be had. Due to the cougar's knack for adaptability — think a fast and powerful muscular body, sharp eyesight and keen hearing, as well as the ability to swim, climb trees and jump long distances — this cat can be seen thriving in many varied habitats, from the Southern Andes in South America to the Yukon in Canada, and everywhere from forests to open areas with sparse vegetation. Current mountain lion ranges in the western portion of the U. For example, he explains, the Incas called the animal puma, while the name cougar is a version of the old South American Indian word cuguacuarana which was shortened to cuguar , and then spelled differently. Panther, meanwhile, is a generic term for any large cat with a solid-colored coat, and mountain lion was probably coined by Spanish explorers who labeled it both leon lion and gato monte cat of the mountain. No matter what you call the cougar, however, it's still the same cat — Puma concolor the scientific name was changed from Felis concolor in recent decades — and it's recognized as the largest of the small cat species. The short answer is no, because they are from the same species, but there do tend to be some slight contrasts in overall size due to geographical concerns, diet and climate.

As with many predators, however, a cougar may attack if cornered, or a fleeing human stimulates a cougar's instinct to chase or a person "plays dead" and seems like a target. Specialized nature photography adventures. Cougars are powerfully built, with large paws, difference between puma and cougar claws and sharp carnivorous teeth.

What's the difference between a puma, a cougar and a mountain lion? Learn more about these powerful predators, including how to identify them, their different names and where they live. The puma Puma concolor is a large cat belonging to the felidae family. It is similar in size to the jaguar, and is found is a wide variety of habitats throughout the Americas. It is also known as the cougar, mountain lion and a number of other names. The six or, by some counts, seven subspecies are known by a plethora of names throughout their range, which spans 22 countries from southern Alaska to the tip of Tierra del Fuego. Found from Yukon, in northern Canada, right down to the southern Andes, the puma Puma concolor has the largest range of any native land mammal in the western hemisphere.

Pumas vs. Cougars: What's the Difference? Pumas and cougars are two names for the same animal, a large wild cat native to the Americas, known scientifically as Puma concolor. Pumas, also known as cougars, are large wild cats native to the Americas. They are solitary and elusive, primarily hunting deer and other mammals. Cougars are known for their adaptability, inhabiting various environments from forests to deserts. Pumas have a wide range, extending from Canada to South America, highlighting their ability to thrive in diverse habitats. In contrast, the term "cougar" is also used colloquially to describe an older woman pursuing younger men, showcasing the versatility of the word outside its zoological context.

Difference between puma and cougar

India is known to be the homeland of many wild exotic species for both plants and animals. Even in unexplored mountain ranges and deep forests, one could find many endemic species there which are not even explored or studied. Pumas and cougars are different names for the same species of a large feline, Puma concolor. This is so because to easily stalk upon their prey like — deer, goats, bighorn sheep, etc. These are heavy that is so because, on average, puma weighs around pounds. On an average basis, cougar weighs up to pounds, and they are native to the ranges of the southern Andes and northern Yukon. The size of the cougars is said to be up to 8 feet.

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Cite This! Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. There is a silver lining, as researchers began to find small pockets of cougar populations in the east of the Rocky Mountains in the s, including in the Midwest and as far east as Connecticut and Maine. Florida panthers are one of six subspecies of cougars. I hope you are finding it useful. Cougar women may even sleep with many men within the same group of friends. Central America. They are one of the top predators, and without them, populations of deer and herbivores would become unhealthy and too large for the habitat. When cougars do attack, they usually employ their characteristic neck bite. As apex predators , mountain lions play an important role in maintaining the biodiversity and balance of the ecosystem.

The puma is the big cat of the Americas. Because these cats were found in so many places, local tribes or explorers had their own name for the large felines, including cougar, mountain lion, Florida panther and catamount.

The mother nurses them for three months or so, but they can eat meat at about six weeks of age. Privacy Policy. That means they attempt to position their teeth between the vertebrae and into the spinal cord, sometimes resulting in fatal neck, head and spinal injuries. Still other names include swamp screamer, Indian devil and ghost cat. Next The Sounds of the Northern Lights. Megan is a naturalist, writer and content creator. The puma — or cougar as it is more commonly known in the US — has clung on in the USA despite extermination attempts that eliminated it from about two-thirds of its range in the country during the 20th century, including most of the east. But puma women are seen to be somewhat committed in their relationships until they are satisfied. Is the Narwhal an Endangered Species? But in the fashion world, these two words refer to two types of women and not the felines. The cat commonly drags a kill to a preferred spot, covers it with brush and returns to feed over several days.