These solitary cats can purr but cannot roar. Very athletic, these cats are excellent jumpers, climbers and swimmers. Cougars have a life span of about 8 years. There are many subspecies of cougar.
Cougars are an endangered species due to loss of habitat and over-hunting by man.
The cougar has keen eyesight and good hearing. It has a small head, big ears, powerful jaws, long, pointed canine teeth, and sharp, retractable claws on each foot. The brown eyes have circular pupils. The young have a spotted coat, but become solid tan to gray-brown at six months of age. It is a fast, solitary hunter that hunts both during the day and at night.