What causes cougars to scream?

The sound resembles nails scraping across a chalkboard or the high-pitched screech of a car coming to a sudden stop. Alternatively, it might echo the brief, sharp cry of a house cat when its tail is accidentally stepped on.

Describing the exact sound of a cougar's scream is challenging, as both researchers and casual observers seldom hear this piercing call. However, it is identical to the cries of a mountain lion, puma, or panther. These similarities arise because they all belong to the same species, Felis concolor, despite their varied common names.

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The species name, translated from Latin, means "solid-colored cat," a fitting description of its appearance. However, the list of nicknames extends far beyond this. Just as humans have multiple names for Elizabeth—like Beth, Betty, Liz, Lilly, and Buffy—cougars are known by various titles such as swamp devil, ghost walker, catamount, night crawler, mountain screamer, king cat, and deer tiger. Studies have identified over 30 different names for this North American feline [source: Busch]. This variety stems from the animal's vast range, spanning from Argentina's southern tip to central Canada and across the entire United States.

Cougars primarily hunt white-tailed deer, though they may target livestock or pets in areas with higher human populations. As apex predators, they employ a stalk-and-pounce hunting technique similar to that of leopards.

Spotting a cougar is a rare occurrence. These solitary creatures are masters of staying hidden, though attacks on humans in the U.S. and Canada have increased since 1990 [source: Kemper]. Due to their elusive behavior, experts estimate that approximately 30,000 cougars inhabit the American West today. This marks a recovery since their near-extinction in the Eastern U.S. in the early 1900s [source: Kemper]. Occasional screams and reports of attacks serve as reminders that cougars remain a thriving presence in the wild.

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Decoding Cougar Noises

The cougar holds the title of the largest native cat in North America. Unlike lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards, which are absent from the wild in this region, cougars are technically classified as small cats, sharing a group with domestic cats. They rival leopards in size, with males weighing about 140 pounds (6 kilograms) and stretching up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) from nose to tail [source: Federal Wildlife Service].

Despite their impressive size, cougars are correctly categorized as small cats due to their internal anatomy. Small cats possess a solid hyoid bone beneath the tongue, which connects to the windpipe and larynx, aiding in vocalization. In contrast, large cats have flexible cartilage that enables roaring. This structural difference means cougars can meow, hiss, and growl but cannot produce the deep roars of their larger cousins [source: Busch].

As small cats with solid hyoids, cougars cannot roar, but their screams are piercing and unforgettable. The female's scream, a high-pitched sound echoing through the wilderness, often leaves hikers stunned. Far from a territorial warning, these screams are a form of long-distance communication, specifically for mating. Only females emit this call, signaling their readiness to reproduce [source: Spalding]. In human terms, it's akin to a booty call.

For ladies tired of waiting for a call, female cougars set an inspiring example. Cougar mating dynamics are surprisingly progressive for a deer-hunting feline. Females reach sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years and typically give birth every other year. Since males are solitary roamers, females use their screams to announce their location and readiness to mate, ensuring the continuation of their species.

Female cougars may face competition for mates when their territories overlap, but they retain control over when mating occurs [source: Busch]. Males must wait until the female is ready. After mating, males resume their solitary lifestyles, while the female prepares a den and remains with her cubs for about 15 months before they become independent [source: Dewey and Shivaraju].

If you ever hear the eerie scream of a cougar echoing in the distance, consider it nature's romantic soundtrack—and promptly move away to avoid encountering an amorous panther.