I t is estimated that there are over 1500 cougars in Washington state. The cougar is known by more names than any other North American mammal. There are 42 common names in English alone and the Spanish and local Indian names boost the number to well over a hundred. The most common English names are puma, mountain lion, painter, catamount, panther, and American lion.
Cougars are North America's largest unspotted cat and are second only in size to the jaguar.
The tail of the cougar is the longest and heaviest tail of any cat and acts as a counter balance in high speed turns.