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Cougars: Introduction
Washington state is home to an estimated 2,500 cougars. Native to the Evergreen State, the cougar, or mountain lion, is the largest cat in Washington, weighing considerably more than its cousins — the lynx, bobcat and domestic cat. Sleek and graceful, the cougar is a solitary and secretive animal rarely seen in the wild. In Washington, however, where humans are encroaching on wildlife habitat and cougar numbers are rebounding, the number of cougar sightings in suburban areas is on the rise.
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In the den, the job of raising kittens falls entirely with the female. The male, or tom, disappears soon after breeding and takes no part in rearing the litter. The female cares for her young until they are about 2 years old and able to fend for themselves. Females normally give birth to two kittens, though litters range from one to six. Newborns are 8-12 inches long and weigh less than a pound.
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Roughly 7 feet long from head to tail, and weighing up to 200 pounds, the cougar is known for its agility and awesome ability to jump. Its exceptionally powerful legs enable a lion to leap 30 feet from a stand still, or jump 20 feet straight up a cliff wall. A cougar can take down elk and moose – prey much larger than themselves. This predator’s brute strength and powerful jaws enable it to drag animals weighing as much, if not more, than itself. |
Roughly 7 feet long from head to tail, and weighing up to 200 pounds, the cougar is known for its agility and awesome ability to jump. Its exceptionally powerful legs enable a lion to leap 30 feet from a stand still, or jump 20 feet straight up a cliff wall. A cougar can take down elk and moose – prey much larger than themselves. This predator’s brute strength and powerful jaws enable it to drag animals weighing as much, if not more, than itself.
