1. The scientific name for mountain lions is Puma concolor, which means “lion of one color”.
2. Mountain lions have the broadest geographic range of any land mammal in the Western Hemisphere, ranging from northern British Columbia to Argentina. They live in various habitats, including forests, prairies, deserts, and swamps.
3. Mountain lions are also known by other names, including cougar, puma, panther, painter, and catamount.
4. Mountain lions are not considered “big cats” but are the largest “small cats”. Interestingly, they are the world’s fourth-largest cat – smaller than tigers, lions, and jaguars.
5. Mountain lions are closely related to cheetahs, both belonging to the Puma lineage.
6. In the wild, mountain lions typically live for about 10-13 years, though some may reach up to 20 years in captivity.
7. Adult mountain lions usually weigh 110-180 pounds, while females weigh 80-130 pounds.
8. These cats vary broadly in average body size depending on geographic location. They are smaller, closer to the equator, and larger, closer to the poles.
9. Mountain lions can jump up to 40-45 feet horizontally and 15 feet vertically.
10. These cats can reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h) in short bursts.
11. Mountain lions have poor sense of smell but excellent vision and hearing.
12. The gestation period for mountain lions is approximately three months. Female mountain lions give birth to an average of 2-4 cubs per litter.
13. Mountain lion cubs, known as kittens, are born with spots and blue eyes, which change as they mature. When they reach 16 months old, their eyes change from blue to yellow.
14. Newborn mountain lion cubs weigh slightly more than a pound and are born with closed eyes and ear canals.
15. Mountain lion cubs stay with their mother for about 18 months before venturing independently. Unfortunately, only 1 in 6 kittens survive to adulthood.
16. Unlike big cats, mountain lions cannot roar but can only purr.
17. Mountain lions are obligate carnivores, meaning they only eat meat. Their preferred prey are deer and elk, but they will also eat smaller animals like mice and rabbits.
18. Mountain lions keep medium-sized predators in check, which protects smaller animals like squirrels, rabbits, and birds.
19. Mountain lions have a distinctive “M” shaped pad with three lobes on the rear of their heel, which makes it easy to identify their tracks from those of other animals.
20. Mountain lions live alone most of the time. They only meet up with other lions to mate.
21. Mountain lions are crepuscular, which means they are most active during dawn and dusk, which also corresponds with deer activity.
22. In several ecosystems, mountain lions can be considered apex predators. They are amazing stalk-and-ambush predators with muscular legs, a long tail that acts as a counterbalance, and strong jaws that have developed to crush the trachea of their prey.
23. Mountain lions hide their food under leaves and dirt. They come back to eat it over a few days.
24. Mountain lions can climb trees. They do this to get away from danger or to sneak up on animals they want to eat
25. These cats coexist with other large predators, such as wolves and jaguars, and they often adapt their behavior to reduce competition.
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