Cougars, the largest cat in North America, once ranged across the continent. They are now extinct in most of their former range due to aggressive predator control programs and habitat loss.
Many people are familiar with cats.
We think we understand them, and this can lead to some misconceptions concerning cougars. For they are wild animals and should be respected as such. The thick, expressive tail makes up about one-third of the total length. The coat is typically a tawny color, shading into red in the southwest or grey in the northern part of their range. The muzzle and chest are white, with dark triangular markings on either side of the mouth and a dark tail-tip.