(Puma concolor)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
|
|
Description |
The species epithet concolor means “one color.” Mountain lions are uniformly buff above, lighter below. There is usually a dark stripe down the middle of the back. The neck, chest, and belly are lighter. The fur is short and dense. The back of the ears, the sides of the nose, and the tip of the tail are dark brown. Juveniles (cubs) are spotted. |
Size |
Total length: 34″ to 61″ Tail: 21″ to 32″ |
Sign |
|
Similar Species |
Habitat |
Mostly remote, heavily forested areas, but also agricultural areas. |
Biology |
Behavior |
|
Lifespan |
18 to 20 years |
Life Cycle |
|
Food |
Mostly deer |
Distribution |
||
Sources U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Cougar (Puma concolor), https://www.fws.gov/species/cougar-puma-concolor. Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 6/21/2025). Hennepin County (light green on the map) represents a sighting on MinnesotaSeasons.com of which the identity is “not certain.” According to the Minnesota DNR, “there is no evidence of a viable breeding population in Minnesota.” |
||
6/21/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
||
Occasional visitor |
Taxonomy |
|
Class |
Mammalia (mammals) |
Subclass |
Theria |
Infraclass |
Eutheria (placental mammals) |
Magnorder |
Boreoeutheria |
Superorder |
Laurasiatheria (ungulates, carnivorans, and allies) |
Order |
Carnivora (carnivorans) |
Suborder |
Feliformia (cat-like carnivores) |
Superfamily |
Feloidea |
Infraorder |
Aeluroidea |
Family |
Felidae (cats) |
Subfamily |
Felinae (small cats) |
Genus |
Puma (mountain lions) |
Higher-level classification Genus |
|
Subordinate Taxa |
|
Until recently, 32 subspecies were recognized. In 2000, mitochondrial DNA analysis showed that most of those are too similar to deserve subspecies recognition. In 2005, Mammal Species of the World recognized only six subspecies, and only one, eastern cougar (Puma concolor couguar), occurs in North America north of Latin America. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) concluded in 2011 that the eastern cougar (Puma concolor couguar) has been extinct since the 1930s. Subsequent sightings in the eastern United States, according to USFWS, represent individuals that escaped or were released from captivity, individuals of a western subspecies that have wandered east, misidentification of smaller cat species, and deception or self-deception (akin to“bigfoot” sightings). Onl two subspecies are currently recognized. |
|
North American mountain lion (Puma concolor couguar) South American mountain lion (Puma concolor concolor) |
|
Synonyms |
|
Felis concolor |
|
Common Names |
|
cougar mountain lion panther puma |
Visitor Photos |
||
Share your photo of this mammal. |
||
This button not working for you? |
LJHarren |
||
juveniles? not certain as these appear the size of Bobcats but tails are too long and ears are not tufted. |
||
![]() |
![]() |
Ramona Abrego |
||
Captive – Wildlife Science Center |
||
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
|
||
|
Slideshows |
Cougar |
![]() |
About
Copyright DianesDigitals |
Cougar |
![]() |
Pumas (Cougars, Mountain Lions) |
![]() |
Mountain Lion Biology |
About
Uploaded on May 12, 2011 The Mountain Lion Foundation presents information about the biology and behavior of America's Lion, the mountain lion which is also known as cougar, panther, puma, painter, tyger, ghost walker, klandagi, cuguacuarana, leopardo, catamount, koe-ishto, ko-icto, el leon, mountain cat, mountain screamer, felis concolor, and puma concolor. |
Visitor Videos |
||
Share your video of this mammal. |
||
This button not working for you? |
|
Other Videos |
Puma Concolor Couguar |
About
Uploaded on Aug 11, 2011 Mountain Lion (Puma concolor couguar) being trapped. |
Cougars: From the Mountains to Hollywood | Nat Geo Live |
About
Published on Jan 27, 2014 Wildlife photographer Steve Winter combines patience and groundbreaking technology to photograph North America's elusive and nocturnal big cat. ➡ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribe About National Geographic: Get More National Geographic: Upcoming Events at National Geographic Live! The National Geographic Live! series brings thought-provoking presentations by today's leading explorers, scientists, photographers, and performing artists right to your YouTube feed. Each presentation is filmed in front of a live audience at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C. New clips air every Monday. Cougars: From the Mountains to Hollywood | Nat Geo Live National Geographic |
Eastern Cougar Declared Extinct |
About
Uploaded on Mar 11, 2011 The eastern cougar has been declared extinct, according to a report issued this past week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. |
Mountain Lion Stand Off With Hiker |
About
Published on Jul 16, 2015 Here is my standoff with a mountain lion that happened last summer in Glacier National Park. I did see the abscess when filming it and the first thing I did when I got out of the woods was report it to some rangers. I showed them the video, the abscess and told them the location where it happened. Fortunately it was in a place that was easy enough to remember and the park rangers were on top of it. :) I was carrying bear spray. https://www.facebook.com/FronkeyAdventures/ To use this video in a commercial player or in broadcasts, please email licensing@storyful.com Please like, comment and share. Thanks a lot! |
Visitor Sightings |
||
Report a sighting of this mammal. |
||
This button not working for you? |
Connie E |
Location: Lakeville, MN Jumped 4ft fence ran through backyard and jumped other side of fence. Longer tail with some black body rusty colored but not as dark as a fox. Ran like a big cat with cat like tail. We live off cty rd 46 and high view. |
LJHarren 5/17/2022 |
Location: Rogers, MN juveniles? not certain as these appear the size of Bobcats but tails are too long and ears are not tufted. |
Ramona Abrego | Location: Wildlife Science Center Captive |
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
|
Created: 1/8/2017 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |