Saturday, April 6, 2013

Felis concolor

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The cougar, Felis concolor, is also known as the mountain lion, puma or panther. The cougar is one of North America's largest cats and is recognized by its tawny color and long tail. Cougar kittens, or cubs, have blackish-brown spots on their body and dark rings on their tails that fade as they get older. Cougars are solitary animals, making them a rare sight for humans. They usually hunt alone and at night, ambushing their prey from behind. Typically, cougars kill their prey with a bite to the lower neck. After making a kill, a cougar often will take the carcass to the base of a tree and cover it with dirt, leaves or snow, saving it to eat later.


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Cougars live all across Utah, from high in the Uinta Mountains to the dry southern Utah deserts. Cougars' main prey is deer, so cougars are often found close to deer. Cougars live up to 12 years in the wild but have lived up to 25 years in captivity. In the wild they face death through accidents, disease and large predators (including humans).



Safety In Cougar Country


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