Although there has been no undisputed evidence since then of the existence of the Kerr subspecies, nonetheless, cougars are so reclusive that scientific opinion remains divided on whether the Kerr subspecies is extinct . The cougar is the second largest cat in the New World. Like all cats, it has a lithe, muscular, compact, and deep-chested body, with a rounded and shortened head. Its whiskers are well developed and its eyes are large. One of the cougar's distinctive characteristics is its long tail, which is useful for balance.
Cougars vary considerably in size and weight throughout their range.
Among all races, adult males typically weigh 1.4 times more than females. In southwestern Alberta, mean weights for adult males and females are 71kg and 4lkg, respectively. Total body lengths of adult male cougars in North America are slightly more than 2m and of adult females, slightly less than 2m. The North American cougar's normal colour is reddish tawny or tawny grey to dark chocolate brown. The backs of the ears and the tip of the tail are black, and there are black markings on the face.