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| The
cougar is known also as a puma or a mountain lion. The
cougar is the only large cat in the Americas. The range
is from the Canadian Yukon to the tip of South America.
The cougar can live up to 15,000 feet in the Andes Desert
although they can also live in forests and swamps. |
| The
cougar is active both day and night. They are very shy.
The have several vocalizations including a chirp, a
peep, a whistle and a scream. They have large hind quarters
which make them excellent jumpers. |
| Cougars
weigh from 80-200 pounds and have the power to take
down a deer and an adult male elk. They kill by leaping
on the backs of their prey and breaking the neck by
pulling it back. They cover their kills to hide from
bears and other predators. |
| To
mark their territory cougars make piles of dirt and
pine needles called scrapes. There are about 5,000 cougars
in California and only about 30 in Florida. |
| If
you meet a cougar in the wild do not run, they
will chase you and consider you prey. The key is to
make yourself look larger by raising your hands over
you head and make a lot of noise. If you have children
with you pick them up and put them on your shoulders,
tell them also to raise their hands an make a lot of
noise. |
| The
gestation period is 90-96 days and the average litter
is 3-4 cubs. |
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