Mountain Lion

A mountain lion (Puma concolor), also known as a puma, cougar, or panther, is a large cat native to the Americas. It has the largest range of any wild land mammal in the Western Hemisphere.

The mountain lion has a sleek, muscular body with a tawny or grayish-brown coat and a long, heavy tail. It has a relatively small head and powerful hind legs, which enable it to leap great distances. An adult male can weigh up to 160 pounds and measure over 8 feet long from nose to tail.

Mountain lions are highly adaptable and are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, mountains, deserts, and grasslands. They are carnivores and their diet consists mainly of deer, but they will also prey on a variety of other animals, from elk to smaller mammals like raccoons and rabbits.

Mountain lions are solitary and territorial animals. They are ambush predators that rely on stealth and surprise to hunt. They are most active at dusk and dawn. Despite their large size, they are not considered one of the "big cats" because they cannot roar; instead, they make a variety of vocalizations, including hisses, growls, and purrs.