The Puma concolor, commonly known as a mountain lion, cougar, or simply a puma, resides throughout western United States and Canada – primarily in mountainous unpopulated regions[1]. Although isolated sightings have occurred in eastern and central United States[2].
Identifiable Features
The P. concolor is a large cats[3] with a slender body[1]. They have yellow to gray fur[1] and a white to grey belly and chest[3] [1]. Puma concolor have pink noses that have a sounding black border that extends outwards to their lips as stripes on their muzzle[1]. The P. concolor has black markings on the tip of their tails, ears, and snout[3].
The Puma concolor is most misidentified as a Lynx rufus (bobcat), but bobcats are far smaller and have a far shorter tail[4]. Also unlike the P. consolor, L. rufus have a spotted coat, usually most noticeable on their legs, and pointed ears.
Puma concolor by Julie L. Tesky via Fire Effects Information System ↩
Mountain Lion via National Wildlife Federation ↩ ↩2 ↩3