A cougar is a large wild cat that lives throughout the Americas, from Canada to South America. Also called a mountain lion, puma, or panther, this sleek predator can weigh up to 200 pounds and leap more than 15 feet into the air from a standing position. Cougars have tan or tawny fur and are incredibly adaptable hunters that can survive in forests, mountains, deserts, and swamps.

Unlike lions or leopards, cougars live and hunt alone rather than in groups. They're ambush predators, meaning they stalk their prey quietly and attack with a sudden burst of speed rather than chasing animals over long distances. Their main prey includes deer, elk, and smaller mammals. Despite their size and strength, cougars usually avoid humans, and attacks are extremely rare.