How Do Mountain Lions and Cougars Differ?

Were you aware that the cougar has earned a Guinness World Record for its numerous names? Dubbed "the cat of many titles," it goes by puma, panther, mountain cat, mountain lion, mountain screamer, painter, and catamount, among others. With over 40 names in English alone, this feline surpasses most mammals in aliases. The variation stems from its widespread presence across diverse locations.

Thanks to its remarkable adaptability — including a swift, muscular build, sharp vision, acute hearing, and skills in swimming, climbing, and leaping — the cougar thrives in a variety of environments. From the Southern Andes in South America to Canada's Yukon, and from dense forests to open landscapes, this cat flourishes. In the western U.S., its range extends from Texas to the Canadian border, with Florida hosting the only confirmed eastern population.

"The variety of names for this animal stems from the indigenous people within its native habitat," explains Dr. Jeremy Goodman, executive director of Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. For instance, the Incas referred to it as puma, while the term cougar derives from the old South American Indian word cuguacuarana (later shortened to cuguar and altered in spelling). Panther, on the other hand, is a broad term for any big cat with a uniform coat color, and mountain lion likely originated from Spanish explorers who named it leon (lion) and gato monte (mountain cat).

Regardless of its name, the cougar remains the same animal — Puma concolor (its scientific name was updated from Felis concolor in recent years) — and is acknowledged as the biggest among the small cat species.

So, Are There Any Differences Between Cougars and Mountain Lions?

In short, no, as they belong to the same species. However, slight variations in size may occur due to geography, diet, and climate. "The differences are minimal and primarily based on regional naming conventions," notes Charlie Jasper, founder of C&C Security Consultants, who assists clients living on the urban-wilderness boundary in Los Angeles in safeguarding their properties from predators.

"Florida panthers and those in the Southeastern U.S. are generally smaller, much like other wildlife in the region," he adds. "Comparing a white-tailed deer from the Carolinas to one in Maine is like contrasting a labradoodle with a wolf."

Typically, cougars possess sleek bodies, rounded heads, upright ears, and a uniform tawny coat (earning them the name "concolor"), complemented by a lighter underside and darker fur along the back. In humid environments, their fur tends to be darker and reddish-brown, whereas those in colder climates have thicker, longer silver-gray coats.

Cougars are robustly built, featuring large paws, retractable claws, and sharp carnivorous teeth. Their hind legs are more muscular than their forelegs, allowing them to leap up to 18 feet (5.4 meters) from trees or 20 feet (6 meters) down mountains. Their flexible spine, similar to that of a cheetah, enables quick turns and sudden directional changes.

Adult cougars can grow up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length, with tails measuring between 2 and 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters). Males weigh between 115 and 220 pounds (52 and 99 kilograms), while females range from 65 to 140 pounds (29 to 63 kilograms).

Are They Dangerous?

"As apex predators, mountain lions are inherently dangerous, though human attacks are exceedingly uncommon," states Goodman.

Like many predators, cougars may attack if they feel cornered, if a fleeing person triggers their chase instinct, or if someone appears vulnerable by "playing dead." During an attack, maintaining intense eye contact, shouting loudly but calmly, and making oneself appear larger and more intimidating can often cause the animal to retreat. Using sticks, rocks, or even bare hands to fight back can also help fend off an attacking cougar.

When cougars attack, they typically use their signature neck bite technique. They aim to position their teeth between the vertebrae to sever the spinal cord, often causing fatal injuries to the neck, head, or spine. Children are at the highest risk of such attacks and are the least likely to survive them.

What Do Cougars Eat?

As carnivores, cougars rely on meat for their diet and will hunt any animal they can catch, ranging from insects to large hoofed mammals. Their primary prey includes deer species such as mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. They also target bighorn sheep, horses, and domestic livestock like cattle and sheep.

"Cougars consume a variety of deer, pronghorn, wild goats, sheep (when available), livestock, and South American camelids like llamas, vicuñas, guanacos, and alpacas," Jasper explains. "They also hunt pets, birds, rodents such as porcupines and rabbits, and even capybaras. In the Pacific Northwest, they prey on weasels, sea lions, and seals. Additionally, they attack other predators to eliminate competition and secure food."

Cougars possess the strength to break the necks of smaller prey with a powerful bite, using momentum to bring the animal down. They typically kill one large mammal every two weeks, though females with young may hunt as often as every three days.

After a kill, the cougar often drags its prey to a favored location, conceals it with brush, and returns to feed over several days. Unlike scavengers, cougars rarely eat prey they haven’t hunted themselves.

Do Cougars Need Protection?

Among the 20 cougar subspecies, three are classified as endangered: the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), the Eastern puma (Puma concolor couguar), and the Costa Rican puma (Puma concolor costaricensis).

Historically, mountain lions were hunted due to fears of livestock predation. However, as human populations encroach further into their habitats, conflicts are likely to increase, underscoring the need for ongoing protection efforts.