Puma (mountain lion)
Scientific name: Puma concolor
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Uniform tawny to grey-brown coat with white underside; black ear backs and muzzle tip are distinctive. Males noticeably larger and more muscular than females; body elongated and low-slung with a long, thick tail used for balance.
Size and weight
Males: 53–72 kg, 105–180 cm body length. Females: 34–48 kg, 97–151 cm body length.
Habitat
Pumas occupy diverse terrain from dense forests and swamps to open grasslands, scrublands, and rocky canyons. They range from sea level to alpine regions above 3,000 m, requiring sufficient cover and prey density.
Distribution
Ranges from western North America (British Columbia to California and the Southwest) through Central and South America to Patagonia. Prefers broken terrain with dense cover and adequate ungulate populations.
Diet
Primary prey are deer (mule, white-tailed, black-tailed); also hunts elk calves, feral horses, javelina, porcupines, and smaller mammals; occasional seasonal reliance on livestock where wild prey depleted.
Behaviour
Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal hunters; solitary and highly territorial with large home ranges (25–400+ km² depending on prey density). Males more mobile than females, especially when seeking mates.
Hunting tips
Look for fresh scat (segmented, often containing hair), claw-free tracks (4.5–6 cm diameter), and scratch marks on trees and ground. Approach upwind through broken cover during dawn/dusk; use terrain folds and ridges for concealment. Move slowly, pausing frequently to glass, as pumas are ambush predators that may be bedded near kills or travel corridors; patience and observation of predator movement patterns essential.
Whole weight
This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 4 countries in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.