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I. INTRODUCTION Felis concolors are the most widely distributed cat in the Americas. They are found throughout the western United States and in the deserts of Southwestern America (Rojo 1996). Also known as mountain lions, pumas, panthers and cougars, these cats are distinguished by their lack of spots and fuzzy white bellies. In fact, concolor actually means “having same color” (Author unknown 2000). Cougars are long and slender cats. They are found mostly in Western America, including Western Canada and Western Mexico (Author unknown 2000). They are also found in the wild in parts of Florida and Georgia. Cougars generally have two home locations, one for the summer and another for the winter (Shivaraju 1995). They are carnivorous and polygamous. II. HABITAT Mountain lions used to be distributed all over the United States, but the available land for them has decreased since the European settlers came. Despite the decrease in available roaming space, the mountain lion remains the most abundant terrestrial mammal in the western hemisphere (Wright 1990). Mountain lions in the United States usually live in areas with a lot of vegetation. This is because they feed mostly on deer that need the vegetation to live. Cougars have been seen in all types of environments including deserts, humid regions, at sea level, and in the mountains (Rojo 1996). In Canada, they live mostly in forest areas. Mountain lions require a large area to hunt and live. A single male lion can occupy an area as small as five miles and as large as 24 miles in diameter (Author unknown 000). The size of the area is usually determined by the abundance of food, the particular habitat, and the male lion’s fertility. Males will share their territory with many females, but not any other male cougars. They mark their territory by scratching and leaving scent marks. Pumas are solitary mammals. Most cat species sleep most of the day, but pumas roam about all day long. III. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS F. concolors are very long and skinny cats. Adult males can weigh up to 227 pounds, and they can reach a length of over eight feet (Author unknown 2002A). Females are smaller. The average height and weight for a female is six feet and 140 pounds, respectively. Pumas have long tails that range in length from two to three feet.
Approximate Word count = 1525
Approximate Pages = 6.1
(250 words per page double spaced)
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