Puma (genus) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Puma (genus) Temporal range: Pliocene – recent, 3–0Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓

Cougar (Puma concolor)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Suborder:	Feliformia
Family:	Felidae
Subfamily:	Felinae
Genus:	*Puma* Jardine, 1834
Type species
Felis concolor Linnaeus, 1771
Species
Puma concolor †Puma pardoides †Puma lacustris †Puma pumoides †Puma incurva

Puma range.
Synonyms
Herpailurus Severtzow, 1858? Viretailurus Hemmer, 1964

The Puma is a type of wild cat. It belongs to the Felidae family. The most famous living species is the cougar. This amazing animal is also known by many other names. People call it a puma, mountain lion, or even a panther.

Scientists have also found fossils of ancient pumas. Some of these lived in the Old World, like Puma pardoides. This was a large, cougar-like cat from the Pliocene era in Eurasia. Other fossil pumas might have lived in the New World. These include Puma pumoides and two species of the "American cheetah". These are now grouped under the genus Miracinonyx.

Understanding the Puma: A Mighty American Cat
Protecting Pumas: Why Conservation Matters
Images for kids
See also

Understanding the Puma: A Mighty American Cat

Pumas are large, mysterious cats. They are often called cougars or mountain lions. These cats can grow bigger than some other "big" cats. But even with their size, they are more closely related to smaller cat species. They are not as closely related to lions or leopards.

Pumas are the most adaptable cats in the Americas. They can live in many different places. This is unlike many other cat species. Their fur color and size can change depending on where they live.

Meet the Living Puma Species

Today, there is one main living species of puma.

Image	Scientific name	Common name	Where it Lives
	Puma concolor	Cougar	From Yukon in Canada all the way to the southern Andes in Argentina and Chile

Where Do Pumas Live? Their Habitats Across the Americas

Pumas mostly live in the mountains of North America and South America. You can often find them in rocky areas and pastures. These are usually lower than where plant-eating animals graze.

However, pumas are very good at adapting. They can live in many different places. These include thick forests, tropical jungles, wide grasslands, and even dry deserts. As human towns grow, pumas are sometimes pushed into smaller areas. But because they are so adaptable, they will likely continue to thrive in the wild.

Puma Appearance: Size, Fur, and Powerful Bodies

Pumas are among the largest cats in the cat family. Adult male pumas can be about 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) long. This measurement is from their nose to the tip of their tail. They usually weigh between 52 and 100 kilograms (115 to 220 pounds). Female pumas are a bit smaller. They can be about 2 meters (6.7 feet) long. Their weight is usually between 29 and 64 kilograms (64 to 141 pounds). Their tails are also quite long, from 0.6 to 0.9 meters (25 to 37 inches).

Pumas have round heads and ears that stand straight up. Their front legs, necks, and jaws are very strong. These help them grab and hold onto their prey. They have four claws on each paw that can be pulled back, just like house cats.

Most pumas live in mountains. They have thick fur to keep them warm in cold winters. Their fur color changes based on where they live. It can be yellowish-brown to reddish-gray. Pumas in colder places often have grayer coats. Those in warmer areas might have more reddish fur.

How Pumas Move: Incredible Leapers and Fast Runners

Pumas are incredibly strong and fast hunters. They have long bodies and powerful, short legs. Their back legs are bigger and stronger than their front legs. This makes them amazing jumpers. They can leap up to 5.5 meters (18 feet) high. They can also jump as far as 12 to 14 meters (40 to 45 feet) horizontally.

Pumas can run very fast, reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph). They use these powerful sprints to catch their prey.

Puma Life: Solitary Hunters and Secret Social Lives

Pumas usually live alone. The only exception is when young cubs stay with their mothers. Each puma roams a large area to find food. In summer, they might cover about 207 square kilometers (80 square miles). In winter, this area might shrink to about 104 square kilometers (40 square miles).

Pumas can hunt well both during the day and at night. They also make many different sounds. They use these sounds to warn other pumas away from their territory. They also use them to find a mate during breeding season.

A study from 2017 showed something surprising. Pumas might have a secret social life. Researchers filmed them sharing their food with other pumas nearby. This suggests they have some social behaviors, much like chimpanzees.

What Do Pumas Eat? A Carnivore's Diet

Pumas are large and powerful meat-eaters. They mostly hunt small animals. Their diet includes rodents, birds, fish, and rabbits. Bigger pumas can catch larger prey. This includes animals like bighorn sheep, deer, guanaco, mountain goats, raccoons, and coati. Sometimes, they might hunt farm animals if there are many nearby.

Puma Families: Reproduction and Life Cycle

Pumas usually breed between December and March. The mother puma carries her babies for about three months (91 days). She can give birth to up to six kittens in one litter. After mating, the male and female go their separate ways. The male will mate with other females. The female takes care of her kittens all by herself.

Like most other cats, puma kittens are born blind. They are completely helpless for about two weeks until their eyes open. Kittens are born with spots. These spots help them hide from predators. They lose their spots as they grow into adults. Kittens can start eating solid food when they are 2 to 3 months old. They stay with their mother for about a year. In the wild, pumas usually live for about 12 years. But they can live up to 25 years in zoos or other protected places.

Protecting Pumas: Why Conservation Matters

Even though human towns have grown, pumas are doing quite well. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists them as a "least-concern species". This means they are not at high risk of disappearing soon. This is because they are very good at adapting to new places. Many people believe their ability to adapt explains their healthy numbers today.

However, in big cities like Los Angeles, California, puma habitats have been broken up. This is due to city growth and large highways. These barriers make it hard for pumas in different areas to meet and breed. This can reduce the variety in their genes. While puma populations still exist, more kittens are being born from closely related parents. This is a problem for these groups of mountain lions. They must quickly adapt to smaller homes and more frequent meetings with humans.

Researchers from the National Park Service are working to help. They are suggesting ideas to cities like Los Angeles. These ideas aim to increase conservation efforts. They want to protect areas on both sides of highways. They also want to build wildlife crossings. These are special bridges or tunnels that let animals safely cross busy roads.