Pumas, also known as mountain lions or cougars, are top level predators with a wide range, from Patagonia in South America to Alaska in the north (although they have been eliminated from the eastern USA). They thrive in forests, swamps and mountain environments. They are shy and one of the most elusive animals to spot. In my many years of hiking and backpacking, I have yet to see a Puma in the wild. I talked to a veteran Canadian backpacking/ canoeing guide, who had also never seen a single cougar in his decades of wilderness travel.
About the size and weight of a small man, mountain lions preferred prey is deer, although they also eat smaller mammals like coyotes and rabbits. Their usual hunting method is to quietly stalk their prey, pounce on them, and bite them on their neck until they die. The will hide large carcasses and feed on them for a number of days. Cougars usually are active from dusk ’til dawn, resting during the day. Human attacks are rare but do occur.
This particular puma was photographed a few years ago at the Arizona-Sonora Desert museum in Tucson, Arizona. The museum has recently rescued a young cougar cub from California, which you can visit. It’s a nice enclosure that allows a great opportunity to observe these beautiful cats.
Pumas what a cool unique animal. I saw a pack of them when I was in Patagonia.