Home >> Science & Nature >> Animals & Science

Mountain Lion Adaptations

Mountain lions, also known as cougars, are the largest wild feline species in North America. Weighing in between 60 and 150 pounds, they are able to take down deer and sometimes even elk in the wild. Mountain lions, as their name suggests, are adapted to rugged mountainous terrain, and can be found ranging from Northern Canada to the southern Andes, in Chile. In many of the areas they inhabit, they are considered endangered.

Powerful Leaps need Powerful Legs
- Mountain lions are famous for their impressive leaping abilities, and are able to jump from cliffs more than 18 feet in height. This ability is essential in their natural, mountainous habitats, where the terrain is often very uneven and difficult to traverse. Their long, powerful legs, which are slightly longer than their front ones, provide them with the bulk of the driving force needed to make powerful leaps. However, while mountain lions can sprint over short distances, they are not built for chasing their prey down as some other larger cats are.
Balancing on Precarious Precipices
- Negotiating the mountainous terrain, with often sheer, rocky cliffs and wind-swept ridges, that the mountain lion favors also requires a certain amount of balance. Of course, members of the feline family are renowned for their excellent balance, and the mountain lion is a particular expert. Its long, think and heavy tail acts as an excellent balance when making jumps or crossing steep ledges.
Broad Paws are for Sneaking and Climbing
- The mountain lion relies on stealth and cunning to ensnare its prey. It is able to move quietly, as a result of the development of particularly broad paws. They posses four toes and a big toe at the base of their front feet and also on the base of each paw, which helps to muffle the sound of a cougar's footsteps. In addition, they can spread their toes wide apart for better grip. They sheath their claws when they wish to move silently and unsheathe them when they wish to climb trees, which they are particularly masterful at, or hold on to their prey.
Natural Camoflauge
- While mountain lions are excellent at approaching their prey unseen, they also have another weapon up their arsenal if they are within their prey's field of view: namely, their excellent camouflage. Mountain lions appear a tawny, orange color from afar, but their coat is actually a mix of light and dark patches and enables them to blend in seamlessly with the rocky environments they often inhabit.

Animals & Science