Cougars are endangered mammals found in habitats across the Americas, from Florida swamps to Canadian forests. A powerful cat with many names, the cougar is also known as a puma, mountain lion or catamount. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-lion/ Cougars feed at night on deer and smaller animals such as raccoons, porcupines and coyotes. They often ambush their prey from behind, and large carcasses are hidden and fed on for several days. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-lion/ Cougars have no fixed mating season and one to six young are usually born in a litter. The cubs are raised in a den with the female for one to two years. http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/animals/cougar.htm Cougars are solitary, shy animals and seldom seen by humans. Only a few of these territorial carnivores can survive in a 30-square-mile range. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-lion/

Cougars were once found across the United States, but by the beginning of the 20th century they were eliminated from most of their hunting grounds. This was because they were prized by hunters and loathed by farmers and ranchers who lost livestock to them. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-lion/ However, largely due to their endangered protection status, the cougar population is expected to recover.http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-lion/ Some biologists predict cougars could eventually recolonize much of their midwest and eastern range. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-lion/ The cougar species has already made a recovery of over 30,000 in the United States. The current primary cause of decline is loss of habitat. http://earthsendangered.com/profile-737.html

Cougars avoid humans, but as more people move into their territory the chances of meeting increases. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-puma.html To avoid coming across a cougar do not hike alone, or at dusk and dawn when they hunt. Make noise as you hike and don’t leave food around a cabin or campsite. If you do cross paths with a cougar, never approach it and give it a way to escape. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-puma.html Statistics show cougars are responsible for four attacks and one human fatality in the US and Canada each year. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-lion/