The cougar is the largest North American feline. They have a heavy stocky build, thick limbs, and a long thick tail. They are the only plain colored big cat besides the lion, and their coat can range from greyish-brown to reddish brown, with a white underside and face. In the tropical areas, their coat tends to take on a reddish hue, whereas in the North, it tends to be more greyish. They have black markings on the sides of their muzzle.
Cougars are well adapted to life in uneven terrain.
They can leap up to 40 feet across the ground. Their hind legs are proportionately larger than their front legs, which makes it easy for them to accomplish such long jumps. They also possess large padded paws, which help them grasp the rough terrain. Their canines, which are an inch and a half long, help them grasp their prey. Their long tail is used for balance while pursuing their prey.