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Mountain Lion (Felis concolor)
(Cougar, Puma, Panther)
Identification: Head and body 42 to 54 inches,
tail 30 to 36 inches; height at shoulders 26 to 31 inches; weight 80 to
200
pounds. Tawny grayish cat, with dark brown on tip of tail and on the
backs of the ears and sides of nose. Eye shine greenish gold, skull has
30 teeth. Habitat: Rugged mountains, forests, swamps. Habits:
Chiefly nocturnal, but may be out during the day. Secretive, seldom seen,
most at home on the ground, but climbs trees. Feeds largely on deer,
also eats rodents and occasionally domestic animals; caches uneaten
portions of kill. Dens in concealed sheltered
spot. Roams widely except when cubs are small; may move 75 to 100 miles
from place of birth. Has lived 18 years in captivity. Breeds first at
two to three years, then every two or three years; mates for the season.
Voice: Like ordinary tomcat, but much magnified. Young:
May be born any month of the year; one to six cubs, usually two;
gestation 88 to 97 days. Cubs are spotted; eyes open at about 10 days.
PNPTC Wildlife Program staff have calculated the minimum number of cougar
known to live on the Olympic Peninsula from 1987-1994, using age
reconstruction from harvested cougar in cooperation with WDFW.
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