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India is known to be the homeland of many wild exotic species for both plants and animals. Even in unexplored mountain ranges and deep forests, one could find many endemic species there which are not even explored or studied.

Key Takeaways

  1. Pumas and cougars are two names for the same large cat species, Puma concolor, found across the Americas.
  2. These animals are also known as mountain lions or panthers, adding to the confusion about their names.
  3. Pumas/cougars are adaptable predators, thriving in various habitats and preying on various animals.

Pumas vs Cougar

Pumas and cougars are different names for the same species of a large feline, Puma concolor. “Puma” is more common in South America. “Cougar” is used more in North America and can sometimes refer specifically to older females.

Pumas vs Cougar

This is so because to easily stalk upon their prey like – deer, goats, bighorn sheep, etc. These are heavy that is so because, on average, puma weighs around 220 pounds.

On an average basis, cougar weighs up to 150 pounds, and they are native to the ranges of the southern Andes and northern Yukon. The size of the cougars is said to be up to 8 feet.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonPumasCougar
Scientific NameFelis concolour Puma concolour
HabitatThey are found in arid regions, grasslands, and tropical forestsAlmost in every type of habitat
Diet Large animals like – raccoons, coati, deer, bighorn sheep, goats, etcCarnivorous animals like – moose, elk, badger, coyote, etc
Found in South and North AmericaMountain ranges of the southern Andes and northern Yukon
WeightMale – 115 – 220 pounds Female – 64 – 141 poundsMale – 150 pounds Female – 121 pounds
SizeRanges between 6 feet to 8 feetUp to 8 feet
EnemiesBeer and wolvesBeer and wolves only but due to food competition
Lifespan12 to 25 years10 to 20 years

What is Pumas?

Pumas is a cat family member and native to North and South America. The appearance of the pumas is said to be dull, and the color of the fur coat of their body varies from silver-grey to reddish-brown.

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The paws and claws of the mammals are large, and they have round faces and erected ears, the size of the tail is also large. The average size of weight of a male is about 115 to 220 pounds, and the average size weight of a female is about 64 to 141 pounds.

The mammal’s height or size varies from 6 feet to 8 feet. The major enemies of the animal are beer and wolves. 

pumas

What is Cougar?

Cougar is also a member of the cat family, and the native place of the species is the ranges of the southern Andes and northern Yukon. The cat has a fur coat with a greyish-tan to reddish hue in color.

But unlikely, they have very large paws helping them in hunting down their prey more effectively. The scientific name thus given to the species by the IUCN is Puma concolour

The average weight of the male cougar is about 150 pounds, and the average weight of the female is about 121 pounds. The height of the mammal is about 8 feet long, while the average lifespan of the species is considered as 10 to 20 years. 

cougar

Main Differences Between Pumas and Cougar

  1. The main enemies said to be for pumas are the bear and wolves, while comparatively, on the other hand, the main enemies of cougars are also bears and wolves due to the competition for food. 
  2. The lifespan of a puma is up to 12 years, and when they are held captivated is 25 years, while comparatively, on the other hand, the lifespan of the cougar is about 10 to 12 years.
Difference Between Pumas and Cougar

References

  1. https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00215.x
  2. https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjz-2012-0147
  3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13364-016-0292-y
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By Piyush Yadav

Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.