The Mountain Lion

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The Mountain Lion
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Adult

Cub

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General Information;

Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Size: Head and body, 3.25 to 5.25 ft (1 to 1.6 m); Tail, 23.5 to 33.5 in (60 to 85 cm)
Weight: 136 lbs (62 kg)
Protection status: Endangered
Conservation status:

Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Carnivora, Family: Felidae, Genus: Puma
Species: Puma Concolor
Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:

# Mountain Lion Range


Also known as a Puma, Cougar, and Catamount - this big cat of many names is found in a variety of habitats, for example, the Canadian forests or Florida Swamps. Mountain Lions once covered nearly the whole of the United States, however, due to human impacts such as hunting (generally and as a sport), farming, etc. these big cats have now declined greatly - and now only roam around specific parts of the US, such as the Canadian provinces. In relation to the decline of the mountain lion range, whitetailed deer have now rebounded in the areas that lack these predators.
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Physical Features;
Cougars are slender and agile members of the cat family. Adults stand about 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35 in) tall at the shoulders. Adult males are around 2.4 m (7.9 ft) long nose to tail and females average 2.05 m (6.7 ft), with overall ranges between 1.5 to 2.75 m (4.9 to 9.0 ft) nose to tail suggested for the species in general. Males typically weigh 53 to 100 kilograms (115 to 220 pounds), averaging 62 kg (137 lb). Females typically weigh between 29 and 64 kg (64 and 141 lb), averaging 42 kg (93 lb). Cougar size is smallest close to the equator, and larger towards the Poles. The head of the cat is round and the ears erect. Its powerful forequarters, neck, and jaw serve to grasp and hold large prey. It has five retractable claws on its forepaws and four on its hind paws. The larger front feet and claws are adaptations to clutching prey. Cougar coloring is plain but can vary greatly between individuals and even between siblings. The coat is typically tawny, but ranges to silvery-grey or reddish, with lighter patches on the under body including the jaws, chin, and throat. Infants are spotted and born with blue eyes and rings on their tails;juveniles are pale, and dark spots remain on their flanks. Despite anecdotes to the contrary, all-black coloring has never been documented in cougars.The term "black panther is used colloquially to refer to melanistic individuals of other species, particularly jaguars and leopards.
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Mental Features;
Mountain lions are solitary except during breeding. Males do not help raise cubs. The cubs remain with their mother for up to 16 months at which they disperse to establish their own territories. Multiple female territories will often overlap with each other, but the females manage to avoid each other for the most part. Males have large home ranges that will overlap with multiple females. A male will mark his territory with scrapes and scent marking. Territorial disputes between males often end in death for the weaker lion.
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Diet;
Mountain lions like to prey on deer, though they also eat smaller animals such as coyotes, porcupines, and raccoons. They usually hunt at night or during the gloaming hours of dawn and dusk. These cats employ a blend of stealth and power, stalking their prey until an opportunity arrives to pounce, then going for the back of the neck with a fatal bite. They will hide large carcasses and feed on them for several days.
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Wolf vs. Mountain Lion;
This would be a great fight against too apex predators of similiar size. Cougars and Wolves (in this case, we'll use a grey wolf) do occupy many of the same habitats and fights occur naturally. The Wolf would most likely initiate this fight as it is a deteremined killer and will try to kill and eat anything. The wolf would attempt to bite the neck of the cougar and hang untill its death. The cougar is extremely quick and would be able to dodge the wolf's initial attack. The relentless wolf will continue to press the fight as the cougar tries to escape. At this point the pissed off cougar accepts the wolf's challenge and with its superior strength quickly pins its opponent. The mountain lion clamps down on the throat of the wolf and slashes its midsection with the claws of its hind legs.
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Credits (c);

Images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/californiadfg/5913901932/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kro-media/3579983265/

Information:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-lion/?source=A-to-Z
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar
http://www.wildanimalfightclub.com/lion-fight-tiger-vs-gorilla-attacks/bid/10019/Gray-Wolf-vs-Cougar-Mountain-Lion
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