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Mountain Lion

What is mountain lion?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name Puma concolor[1]
Common names Cougar, puma, panther, catamount[2]
Diet Carnivore[1]
Native range The Americas[3]
Size Head and body 3.25 to 5.25 feet; tail 23.5 to 33.5 inches[1]

A mountain lion is a large wild cat, scientifically known as Puma concolor, and is also called a cougar or puma. It is a carnivore native to the Americas, and it is the largest member of the cat family in North America. Unlike a mountain goat, it is an ambush predator that hunts deer and elk.

Context

The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is a large cat species native to the Americas [3]. It is also known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamount [2]. As a carnivore, it feeds on deer and elk, and it is the largest cat in North America [4]. Its range in Canada is limited to British Columbia and Alberta [4].

Documented claims

  • Mountain lions are the largest member of the cat family in North America. [4]
  • They are ambush predators that prey primarily on deer and elk. [4]

Questions and answers

Is there a mountain lion in Canada?

Yes, mountain lions are found in Canada, but their range is limited to British Columbia and Alberta [4].

Is a cougar the same as a mountain lion?

Yes, cougar is one of the common names for the mountain lion, along with puma, panther, and catamount [2].

What do Canadians call mountain lions?

Canadians commonly call them cougars or pumas, as these are standard names for the same species [2].

Sources

  1. Mountain Lion - Lake Mead - National Park Service — nps.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Mountain Lion — kids.nationalgeographic.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. About Mountain Lions — mountainlion.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Incredible Mountain Lion Facts — a-z-animals.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things