The mountain lion is a large, tan cat with a white or gray belly and chest. What Is The Difference Between An Otter And A Beaver? Cubs also have blue eyes that change color as they get older. Black jaguars, a.k.a. I think this is probably the best match up for a Leopard in a long time, they both seem to be evenly matched but i kind of go with the Cougar because I've always been impressed with their bad attitude. "name": "Where do Both of These Animals Live? Clearly you are suffering from Thankfully, until the day they learn to walk solely on their hind legs, you wont need to worry about meeting a mountain lion eye to eye in the woods. So silly was watching an episode of Rawhide with my husband and asked what is the difference between pumas. Mountain lions are considered the second biggest cats in the Americas, right after jaguars. This scream is the most well-known sound of a mountain lion. Size and Body Description The cougar is about the same size as a leopard. The paw of a Siberian tiger is an impressive 6-8 inches wide and 7 or more inches long. Theyre pretty big, but that isnt enough information. Some mutations can cause animals, including mountain lions, to be black, white, or mixed variation. Their sheer size earns them this title. So, were going to compare the larger of the big cats that the term panther refers to, jaguars, to mountain lions. i do believe the lifestyle of leopards (constantly dragging carcasses up trees all their life) would require more strength then a cougar. And this nickname isnt too far from the truth. Mountain lions also dont have a set breeding or mating season. Mountain lions can make a range of sounds, but they cant roar like lions or tigers. The jaguar is also typically much larger than mountain lions, and has a more muscular frame and stronger bite force. I know cougars can kill adult moose and bears. All Rights Reserved, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE4PjH1OZoM, Florida Panther All You Need To Know About This Cougar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE4PjH1OZoM), 7 Turtles That Look Like Snapping Turtles. Aug 07, 2010 #2. When Europeans first settled North America, mountain lions lived from coast to coast. Mountain lions once ranged more extensively than any other mammal in the Western Hemisphere. Using Natural Predators Mountain lions have no distinguishable markings, and have only a tawny or tan colored coat. And panther is a general term for cats that have solid-colored coats, so it was used for black pumas as well as black jaguars and black leopards. Mountain lions will also have a few minor black markings. Add a tail on, and lions can reach an impressive length of close to 10 feet. Leopards are slightly shorter than mountain lions, at 22.4 - 27.6 tall, but their body length is comparative, between 5'2 - 8'7. The two can have comparable sizes with the larger leopards and smaller mountain lions. Mountain lions are obligate carnivores, like all other cats. With no natural enemies, the mountain lion rests atop the food chain. These are the greatest differences between panthers and mountain lions. Round 1: Size and Speed. Then we have the Leopard and the Cougar/ Mountain Lion, which both frequently kill animals larger than themselves. However, they are capable of sharing a meal with a group of other mountain lions and forming a small community in their area, where they interact with each other. *BFQis a bite force quotient of an animals bite force. Mountain lions are alternatively called pumas and cougars. { Like most big cats, except lions, mountain lions prefer a solitary life. However, it would not be without difficulty. Mountain lions and cougars are animals; the same animal referred to with different names depending on the region they are found in. Weight : 180-350 kg on average, max could weight up to 400 kg Height : 1.20+ meters at shoulders now the other big cat. These are expert hunters, and they have no qualms about attacking humans that are in their territory. Even looking at the largest house cat, the Maine Coon, the mountain looks huge. Although leopards are very muscular and robust, they prefer to hunt middle-sized prey up to 90 lbs, but they can kill prey as big as adult male eland, weighing about 2 000 lbs. Mountain lions can breed year-round. Some people might confuse leopards and mountain lions, as both cats can be called panthers, depending on the region, but there are many differences amongst these felines. So, that being said, both animals would likely suffer severe injuries in the fight. They eat a variety of prey depending on where they live, including deer, pigs, capybaras, raccoons, armadillos, hares, and squirrels. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Leopards have many predators, like lions, hyenas, and tigers, who wont hesitate to dispatch any specimen, especially targetting the defenseless cubs. Jaguars are golden with large black rosettes, while mountain lions are a tawny brown. After all, at 220 pounds, mountain lions can weigh as much as a washing machine. Leopard Against Mountain Lion-Who Wins the Fight? The Florida panther population is found on the opposite side of Florida in south Florida and the Everglades. Cougars are only found in North and South America. macOS. However, it would not be without difficulty. I was taught in my youth that the Puma, Cougar and Mountain Lion were all the same cat just different names in different locations in the Americas. My passion for animals obviously did not stop there, though! However, mountain lions are considered mostly extirpated from the eastern parts of North America, except Florida and sporadic sightings in Kentucky, South Dakota, Illinois, and Tennessee. Leopards typically reach a maximum weight of 200 lbs, while the maximum for a mountain lion is 220 lbs. They also have to keep vigilant against other predators in their respective habitats. Were going to cover everything you need to know about them right here in this article. Mountain lions are also solitary animals. The name mountain lion is not exactly precise either, but it refers to a single animal that has multiple names. Leopards Hunt Much Smaller Animals and Occasionally a Large Animal The mountain lion is part of the Felidae family, meaning that it is also a cat. They are bulkier than other cats like mountain lions, and have rounded faces. Required fields are marked *. Early Spanish explorers of North and South America called it leon (lion) and gato monte (cat of the mountain), from which we get the name "mountain lion." Writing about animals is something I love and enjoy. The newborns have spots, which may help them blend in with grass, brush, and dappled sunlight. Even though we hear ita lot in movies and on TV, mountain lions dont make that "wild cat scream" very often. Youre seeing a cougar/mountain lion which is yes most definitely different then a bob cat however the term used to call them a panther is nothing but a regional thing thats been done for a long time nothing else and theres nothing scientifically accurate about it. That you would even include the reference makes you a spreader of propaganda and disinformation. In addition, cougars were called different names by different groups of people as they settled the Americas. To what degree? In fact, your cougar/mountain lion doesnt even fall in the panthera genus so why its actually referred to as that is beyond me. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. North American Tom Cougar. Cougar noun. They are one of the top predators, and without them, populations of deer and herbivores would become unhealthy and too large for the habitat. However, some cubs will stay with their mother until they are over two years old before venturing off on their own and start reproducing themselves. However, some dogs were bred with mountain lions in mind. Although the animals may have similar maximum lengths and heights, panthers weigh more due to their musculature. Mountain lions cover an extreme range all the way from Alaska to Argentina and even southern Chile. Mountain lions are opportunistic feeders and can eat any animal they can catch, from insects to large deer over twice their size, like moose and feral horses. The name mountain lion is commonly used throughout the western United States and Canada. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tigertribe_net-banner-1','ezslot_7',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tigertribe_net-banner-1-0'); At least theres only about an inch difference when it comes to an average human hand and a mountain lion paw. Frequently Asked Questions aboutLeopard Against Mountain Lion-Who Wins the Fight? The young may stay with their mother for as long as 26 months, but usually separate after about 15 months. Theyre also only around 2 feet tall at the shoulders and 3 feet long, making them around the same size as a Maine Coon cat. Mountain Lion Mark Their Territory By Urinating And Leaving Large Scratch Marks On Trees. While weve spent some time comparing mountain lions to other felines, do you know how theyll compare to dogs? On average, their feet have a diameter of almost 4 inches. At six months old, their spots begin to fade, and they learn to hunt. And especially annoying is the large font size and gray theme of the Finder Sidebar and Mail. As the cub gets older, their eyes color will change to the golden or red-yellow that adults have. Owls, hawks, and snakes are all known to eat vol, This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our. More common vocalizations are whistles, squeaks, growls, purrs, hisses, and yowls. Leopards inhabit the larger part of Africa, Caucasus, and Asia, although the population is in decline. Even so, mountain lions are mostlyambushhunters, launching atpreyto knock it off balance. I bet you believe vaccines are bad and election fraud is real. Any kind of tiger would dwarf the mountain lion. When it comes to holding hands, a human and a mountain lion are almost equal, with the mountain lion having a paw just an inch or so bigger than a human hand. You can avoid them, too, by not hiking alone, or at dusk and dawn when mountain lions are hunting. Mountain lions have no natural predators except humans, but they often conflict with grizzly bears, black bears, and gray wolves. Puma and Mountain Lion are some of the most common names for cougars. If you were to lay down beside a mountain lion, even some of the tallest people wouldnt come close to meeting their 8-foot length. This is especially true if you cant see the bobcats tell-tale tail. Historically, there used to be jaguars in a number of US states, including New Mexico, Louisiana, and even eastern Texas. Are there any differences at all? According to the University of Santa Cruz, Mountain Lions are not made for sustained high activity or running. Snow leopard is an interesting carnivorous mammal found in the mountain ranges of Southern and Central Asia. North American Mountain Lion vs The largest of the Leopards. I saw my first puma while working at the military training centre in Meaford Ontaio Canada area. YOUNG. As far as election fraud goes, it has been happening since the invention of the ballot box. They are the fourth-largest cat; adults stand about 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35 in) tall at the shoulders. They can reach lengths of 5-7 feet from their note to the base of their tail, and the tail can be a further 2-3 feet. So, although both the jaguar and mountain lion are cats, there are remarkable differences between them.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RVcmu3fHeMVideo cant be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: JAGUAR VS LION Who will win this battle? "Puma" and "Mountain Lion" are some of the most common names for cougars. Leopards compete with cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, and the occasional lion pride for their food and often have to fight for their meal. Leopards usually avoid deserts, areas where snow lies for a long time, and proximity to urbanization, although leopards are often spotted near human settlements in India. However, one thing that sets the bobcat and mountain lion apart is their size difference. }. The leopard is an excellent climber, and it has incredible strength. The leopard is Africas most muscular cat, pound for pound. The mountain lion is revered by Native Americans as the most powerful and fearless animal and the greatest of hunters. But overall, meeting a mountain lion is an unlikely event. Their preferred terrain varies from riverine forests, rainforests, and woodlands to savanna and grasslands. Closer to the equator, in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil, mountain lions are usually smaller. Probably the second longest after the Tig. In my free time, I like to watch documentaries and explore nature. "text": "To note first is, that leopards and mountain lions seldom cross paths. Puma means powerful animal in the Peruvian language Quechua. Cougar seems to have come from an old South American Indian word, cuguacuarana, which was shortened to "cuguar" and then spelled differently. From nose to the tip of the tail, a mountain lion can measure up to 7.7 feet long. For the average adult human, you can expect that theyll come up to about your knee, give or take. These dogs can weigh between 200-250 lbs and are three feet at the shoulder. This means that they can only get the nutrients they need from meat rather than vegetation. Their body lengths . Its really difficult to say who would win. However, their surprising attribute comes from their length. You will find more information about our wildlife conservation campaigns HERE. Some of those names have stuck, especially in specific regions. These markings will be around the animals snout, the tips of their ears, and the tip of their tail. These animals have a gestation period of 90 to 96 days. They are among the largest carnivores in these areas, only overshadowed by bears, jaguars, and alligators. As a wildlife photographer, he has traveled extensively and studied wildlife sanctuaries across the globe. In north America however, especially in Canada, these cats can grow monstrous sizes. Conservation status. Depending on where you reside, its a cougar, panther, puma, or mountain lion. It would be quite a fight. Their weight balances between 64 220 lbs. Pumas have solid-colored bodies with no spots, usually tawny fur, but the color can range from reddish to silvery-grey. In New England they were either called Mountain Lions or Catamounts. In the end, the mountain lion dominates. You would also need around 5 Maine Coons standing nose to tip of tail to equal the mountain lions 8-foot tail and body. Mountain lions have round, asymmetrical feet that rarely show the claws in the prints they leave behind. Tawny brown with a lighter, cream color on their stomach and chest. There have been instances, however, where mountain lions are seen close to cities, or in city suburbs. "@context": "https://schema.org", A mountain lion; Puma concolor. However, as jaguars are typically much larger and more powerful (and with a much stronger bite force), we can guess that the jaguar would come out on top. The most notable sound these animals make is referred to as sawing. Theres no need to compare a mountain lion to dogs like chihuahuas or pugs they are no more than chew toys. The females will give birth to a litter between 2-4 cubs, which will stay with her until they are at least a year old. In terms of weight, it would be pretty easy for a large mountain lion to outweigh a human. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. This does not mean that they cannot eat other food types, but simply that they would not get the benefit of doing so except for the flavor. Your email address will not be published. Panthers are found throughout the world, including Asia, Africa, and South America. Mountain lions will typically come up to the knee or mid-thigh on most people, depending on height. An adult male will weigh an average of 110 to 180 pounds, and some are found to be much larger, even up to 250 pounds. Yet at the same time it is difficult to ignore the slight upper hand that cougar has in terms of weigh. ", sidewinder macrumors 68020. We will go through everything you need to know in this article. A Leopard would win, cougars have never impressed me strength wise, but they impresse me otherwise, theyare so agile, fast and my god how they can jump! Do Lions Eat Rhinos? These markings will be around the animals snout, the tips of their ears, and the tip of their tail. Lion vs Mountain Lion: Size and Weight Lions are the king of the jungle. They are so strong they will carry their prey high up into trees to keep it away from scavenging lions and hyenas. Panther is a term that is often applied to leopards, jaguars, and sometimes even mountain lions in the case of the Florida panther and Carolina panther. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, they are known to be very vocal animals, and will grunt, mew, and roar. Panthers, can have up to 100lbs more muscle weight than mountain lions! Lionesses would also dwarf a mountain lion, with a weight anywhere between 270-400 lbs. Snow Leopard vs Lion The discussions about carnivores, especially about the top predators of an ecosystem are a never-ending interest. Mountain lions are large cats native to North, Central, and South America. This is asubspeciesof mountain lion that used to be found from Texas throughout the southeast but is now found only in southern Floridas swamps. They measure a respectful 3 feet at the shoulder, which means that they are more than capable of doing some damage. All of these names are considered correct, but in Southern California they are commonly called mountain lions. This coloring will eventually appear when a mountain lion is about a year and a half old. Weights range from 75 to 250 pounds (34,113 kg) and vary widely. It might suggest that leopards are more muscular than pumas, and therefore their absolute strength could be greater than pumas. Not great, but still somewhat of an expert opinion. Even though both mountain lions and leopards are big cats, they have many differences, from the most visible one the spots and coloration to their habitat. Its slender body and calm demeanor are more like that of a cheetah; both cats would rather flee than fight, and both rarely confront humans. The cats may actually see each other once in a while, but mostly they leave "messages," withfeces, urine, scratched logs, or marks they scrape out in the dirt or snow. In my childhood, I had cats and multiple greek turtles. Pound for pound, they are the most muscular cats in Africa. For example, Florida panther kittens have a spotted, jaguar-like appearance, so their name may suggest a similar appearance between this cougar subspecies and the panthera genus. However, smaller prey is easier to cache on a tree, away from other predators who want to steal leopards kill. That actually makes your statement even more absurd and intellectually dishonest than anyone who have attempted to smear. please try to stay focused. In fact, it would take nearly 4, if not more, house cats to equal the same height as a mountain lion. Pumas are considered the 4th largest cat in the world, but arent big cats because they cant roar! Leopards are also rather solitary creatures, staying in pairs for a few days only during mating season. It will remain quiet until it gets close enough, and with easy climbing and jumps of over six feet, it will pounce on its prey with teeth flaring and retractable claws outstretched. However, panthers that are jaguars or mountain lions live throughout the Americas. Whereas the mountain lion hits fourth in size of a cat, the leopard hits seventh in size of the cat family. Older OS X Versions. Mountain lions live in North America, Central America, and South America, and panthers live in Africa, Asia, Central America, and South America. However, they will always be a shade of tan or a tawny brown unless they have a mutation. Adults have eyes that can appear to be a green-brown or yellow color. It should be said that the majority of mountain lions will be slightly smaller, as these numbers are on the upper limit. They can stand between 3.5-5 feet tall. Cubs have more black markings than adults, including black spots to aid them with blending into the surroundings. It can easily take down a mule deer with a mighty leap and a bite to the back of the neck or head. Cougars are actually very long cats. You hear the names thrown around all the time. Mountain lions and leopards inhabit different continents, and their paths never cross in the wild. The light can make their fur look lighter or darker, more of a gray than brown. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/lion-tiger-cat-win-interspecies-fight_n_1676801.html. (inexact) The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a similar-looking large wild cat native to Asia . I've seen Leopards handling animals much larger and dangerous than themselves without much fear. Often referred to as the "Ghost of the Mountains," the snow leopard is an elusive big cat that reigns among the peaks. Have you ever seen the comedic punchline of two children in a trenchcoat acting like an adult? The short answer is, there is no difference. It is panthers in louisiana regardless of to what wildlife says. There are nearly 2,000 different species! When it comes to planting tomatoes, the first step is choosing the right variety for your climate and soil type. Cougars have small skulls and neck girth and while they weigh slightly more and stand taller, there are plenty of leopards that are very close in weight if not equal. Panthera pardus - leopard (panther) Puma concolor - puma (cougar, mountain lion) Panthera onca - jaguar. They have a bite force of 94 BTQs, not as aggressive of a bite as the mountain lion. If youre unfamiliar with the wild cats of the Americas, it can actually be easy to mix up these two fierce felines. As bobcats have weaseled their way onto common media platforms, many people have taken to calling them the friend-shaped wild cat. The short answer is, there is no difference. Mountain lions often bury part of their kill to save for a later meal, hiding the food with leaves, grass, dirt, or even snow, depending on the habitat and time of year. Vaccines are not as effective as natural acquired immunity. A lot of people are between 5 foot 4 and 6 foot 4, but a mountain lion can reach 8 feet long, tail included. Therefore, the Leopard will have some knowledgeon the skull bite. Mountain lions are best compared to jaguars, the larger of the most common big cats to which their name refers. One of the most effective ways to protect your garden from pests is to use natural predators. They also have two black stripes on each side of their muzzle and a black tip of their tail. The term panther does not refer to a specific species, but mountain lion does. The jaguar has one of the most notable coats in nature. There is no singular big cat called a panther and that term refers to the panthera genus which consists of lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards and snow leopards. They range in length from 1.5 to 2.7 m (5.9 feet), have a tail length of 53.91 cm (21.36 inches), and a shoulder height of 58.71 cm (23.28 inches). Panthera pardus, a large wild cat with a spotted coat native to Africa and Asia, especially the male of the species (in contrast to leopardess). This begs the question: where did these different names come from? Cougars are powerfully built, with large paws, retractable claws and sharp carnivorous teeth. They can run fast and have a flexiblespinelike a cheetahs to help them maneuver around obstacles and change direction quickly. Mountain lions, aka Cougars or Pumas, are the largest species of the genus felis of Felidae Family. With a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife: Conservation and Management from Humboldt State University. "@type": "FAQPage", The leopard holds the wild card. Will move to the non-puma side of FL:) Thanks! A leopard and a mountain lion; both are powerful, tough, fierce, and fast. Such a beautiful impressive creature! Female cougars are typically smaller than males, but they are still considered bigger than leopards despite their rather slender build. Animal vs Animal Faceoff, animals in general, Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, Cheetahs, Cougars, bears, sharks, orcas, sports, battle, v. I have 2 accounts and the Mountain Lion defeated the leopardess both times. The subspecies of cougar known as the Florida panther is not actually a panther, as it is a member of the puma genus despite its common name. Mountain lions can also growl, hiss, mew, yowl, squeak, spit, and purr to get their message across with other cats, and they are known for a short, high-pitched scream and a whistle-like call. Despite their large size, mountain lions tend to be fairly light. They are covered in black spots to help them blend into their surroundings, but have the same tan or tawny colored fur as their parents. In Central and south America they tend to be significantly small, about 20-45 kgs and max up to 60 or 70 kgs. As such, the pumas that are in Central America are likely to be smaller than the ones found in Argentina and Chile. Lions are the second-largest cats in the world. The shade of the base color may vary depending on where the animal is located, as jaguars in thick rainforests typically have a more golden color. Just their tail alone can be 3 feet, though, meaning you may be as taller, or even taller, than their body length. I recently graduated from Wingate University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a double minor in biology and professional and technical writing. They live in a variety of habitats, at home in forests, prairies, deserts, and swampsthey are very adaptable cats! One of the smallest cats, a male, will only weigh 80 to 168 pounds; he stands about 28 inches from the ground to shoulder and can range from 5 to 6 feet in length. The leopard relies heavily on its ability to stay hidden as it sneaks up on its unsuspecting prey. Mountain lions and jaguars are roughly the same height and length, though black jaguars tend to be heavier and more muscular. Mountain lions, often called pumas, cougars, and panthers, belong to thePumafamily. Their color can vary depending on their location in the Americas. Though the Chinese names seem to be more confusing, they do reveal one fact: both cougars and jaguars can only be found in North and South America. Up to the shoulder, mountain lions can measure up to a maximum of three feet, and they can weigh up to 220 lbs. A panther would win a fight against a mountain lion. They are not the fastest runners, reaching a top speed of 36 mph, but they are excellent ambush predators, able to leap over 20 ft to catch their prey. If you would like to support ForestWildlife.org in the form of donation or sponsorship, please contact us HERE. The word was originally spelled cuguar and was later changed to the current spelling. They will mark their territory by urinating and leaving large scratch marks on trees, and they avidly defend their area, which can be 100 square miles. Hmmmmm. Adults have eyes that can appear to be a green-brown or yellow color, while cubs have blue eyes. At least a mountain lion could have a fair fight with a leopard! Check out the following video to learn more about Florida panthers. Some people continue to shoot them on sight, or trap or poison them. To deny that election fraud exists is to deny there is air. Panthers generally have shorter lifespans than cougars. Texas Boys Catch a Hog the Size of a Grizzly Bear, Watch an Amazing Lion Go Airborne and Snatch a Baboon Straight Out of a Tree, Watch a Massive Bison Kick a Chasing Wolf Straight In The Face, Melanistic with typical patterns visible when up close.