Big Game Animal:The Cougar
Description of animal:
Identification features....
-Size: The cougar (also known as the mountain lion) is the largest of North America's wild cats. From nose to tip of tail, a large cougar may be as long as three metres (10 feet).
Average weight of adult males ranges from 60 to 70 kilograms (130 to 160 pounds).
Average weight of adult females ranges from 40 to 50 kilograms (90 to 110 pounds).
-Appearance: The cougar (also known as the mountain lion) is the largest of North America's wild cats. From nose to tip of tail, a large cougar may be as long as three metres (10 feet).
Average weight of adult males ranges from 60 to 70 kilograms (130 to 160 pounds).
Average weight of adult females ranges from 40 to 50 kilograms (90 to 110 pounds).
-Track identification:Cougar tracks show four toes on both the front and hind paws, and an M-shaped heel pad with two lobes at the top or leading edge, and three lobes at the base. Their retractable claws do not show in their prints except on slippery or difficult terrain where they need more traction or during a prey pursuit. A cougar carries its heavy tail in a wide U-shape at a normal walk, and in snow, the lower portion of its tail can leave drag marks between each print.
Description of animal:
Identification features....
-Size: The cougar (also known as the mountain lion) is the largest of North America's wild cats. From nose to tip of tail, a large cougar may be as long as three metres (10 feet).
Average weight of adult males ranges from 60 to 70 kilograms (130 to 160 pounds).
Average weight of adult females ranges from 40 to 50 kilograms (90 to 110 pounds).
-Appearance: The cougar (also known as the mountain lion) is the largest of North America's wild cats. From nose to tip of tail, a large cougar may be as long as three metres (10 feet).
Average weight of adult males ranges from 60 to 70 kilograms (130 to 160 pounds).
Average weight of adult females ranges from 40 to 50 kilograms (90 to 110 pounds).
-Track identification:Cougar tracks show four toes on both the front and hind paws, and an M-shaped heel pad with two lobes at the top or leading edge, and three lobes at the base. Their retractable claws do not show in their prints except on slippery or difficult terrain where they need more traction or during a prey pursuit. A cougar carries its heavy tail in a wide U-shape at a normal walk, and in snow, the lower portion of its tail can leave drag marks between each print.
-Diet:Deer are the cougar's main food, but it also takes other large game animals, as well as small rodents, hares and birds
Other species such as bighorn sheep,wild horses of Arizona, domestic horses, and domestic livestock such as cattle and sheep are also primary food bases in many areas. A survey of North America research found 68% of prey items were ungulates, especially deer. Only the Florida Panther showed variation, often preferring feral hogs and armadillos.
Reproduction information...
-Gestation period:the gestation period is approximately 91 days,Only females are involved in parenting. Female cougars are fiercely protective of their cubs, and have been seen to successfully fight off animals as large as American black bears in their defense. Litter size is between one and six cubs; typically two.
-Habitat in Alberta:Favored habitat includes remote, wooded, rocky areas.
-Threats:Cougars have been long been killed by both sport hunters and farmers protecting their livestock. Other threats to cougar populations include habitat loss and fragmentation and automobile accidents. As a result, the cougar population has significantly decreased.
Although they once ranged throughout North and South America, they are no longer found in the eastern portion of the United States and Canada, the exception being a small population in Florida. The subspecies known as the Florida panther is considered to be critically endangered, and agencies are working to maintain the current population. There are still, however, several thousand cougars in the wild, and as a result, they listed as being of ‘least concern’ on the IUCN Red List.
Human interest fact sheet: Attack at Human are really rare,attacks are more frequent in spring and summer,when juvenile cougars leave the mothers and search for new territory.When cougars do attack,they usually employ their characteristic neck bite:neck,head and spinal injuries are common and sometimes fatal.Children are at greatest risk attack and least,likely to survive an encounter.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar#Relationships_with_humans