Cougars, also known as pumas, mountain lions, catamounts, or panthers, are large cats native to the Americas. Here are some key facts about cougars:

• Appearance: Cougars are slender and agile members of the Felidae family. They are the fourth largest cat species worldwide, with adults standing about 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35 in) tall at the shoulders. Adult males are around 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) long from nose to tail tip, and females average 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in), with overall ranges between 1.50 to 2.75 m (4 ft 11 in to 9 ft 0 in) nose to tail suggested for the species in general. Of this length, the tail typically accounts for 63 to 95 cm (25 to 37 in) .

• Habitat: Cougars are found throughout North and South America, from Florida swamps to Canadian forests. They are highly adaptable and can be found in many different habitats, including mountains, forests, deserts, and swamps.

• Diet: Cougars are carnivores and primarily prey on deer, but they also eat porcupines, raccoons, birds, small mammals, foxes, mice, and grass. They are skilled and cunning hunters, staying hidden from their prey until they can pounce with claws outstretched. After killing a large animal, a cougar hides the carcass and eats in the coming days.

• Behavior: Cougars are solitary creatures and interact only to mate, which can happen at any time of year. Females can breed as early as 2-3 years old and give birth to 2-3 kittens at a time. They raise the kittens alone and teach them how to hunt. Cougars are territorial and use scent marking to communicate with other cougars.

• Conservation: Cougars are not currently considered endangered, but their populations are decreasing due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as hunting and trapping. In some areas, such as heavily urbanized southern California, cougars are increasingly sharing space with people.

Overall, cougars are fascinating and important animals that play a key role in many Western Hemisphere ecosystems.