puma scientific name

Their range extends from Yukon, Canada to the Southern Andes in South America. It has been known however, for Pumas that are vulnerable due to sickness or injury to be preyed upon by other large predators including Bears and Wolves, and even other Pumas. No matter the size of your contribution, every bit helps! In fact, there are more than 80 names for the puma, more names than any other animal, according to the book "Cougar: The American Lion," by Kevin Hansen.It is … The Puma has large wide-set eyes which not only enable it to see what is ahead of it, but they can also see for some distance around them as well. Which first family had over 30 pets and gave the White […] Read More, David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife, Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals, David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia, Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species, David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals, Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals, David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals, About Pumas, Available here: http://www.wildlifesurvival.com/cougarinfo.htm, Puma Information, Available here: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Puma_concolor.html. The name ‘panther’ is a generalised term which refers to a cat with a solid coloured coat which they have. Pumas belong to the genus Puma and the full taxonomy or scientific classification of the Puma cat species is: Species: Puma concolor (puma / cougar / mountain lion), P.c. The Puma (Puma concolor) is a large, graceful cat belonging to the felidae family. Puma, (Puma concolor), also called mountain lion, cougar, panther (eastern U.S.), or catamount (archaic), large brownish New World cat comparable in size to the … Although […] Puma is a genus in the family Felidae that contains the cougar (also known as the puma, among other names), and may also include several poorly known Old World fossil representatives (for example, Puma pardoides, or Owen's panther, a large, cougar-like cat of Eurasia's Pliocene). The Puma is not only big, but its agile and incredibly muscular body means that it can easily outrun many of the species that it hunts. Puma concolor holds the Guinness World Record for the animal with the most common names. Scientific Name: Puma concolor : Conservation Status: Common : Range and habitat. Highly energetic and eager for adventure! Watch the video below to … It is also commonly called a mountain lion, cougar, or panther. Scientific Name Puma concolor Location Columbia Falls, Montana, USA Specimen Condition Live Specimen Source Cats are smarter than dogs. The majority of the Puma’s diet is comprised of small animals like Mice, Rats, Birds, Fish and Rabbits that are found living in a high abundance on the fertile mountain slopes and in the lowland forests. They have pointed ears and their acute hearing allows them to detect prey even when it is too dark for them to see. These fish can grow up to three feet long! And panther is a general term for cats that have solid-colored coats, so it was used for pumas as well as black jaguars. Puma Family Classification In scientific classification (taxonomy) the three wild cats of the Puma lineage belong to the cat family Felidae and the small cat subfamily Felinae. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; The PUMA names file contains the descriptive PUMA names for all of the 2010 PUMAs. Fast Facts: Mountain Lion The puma’s scientific name Felis concolor means ‘cat of uniform color’. It refers to the puma’s unmarked coat. However, with expanding Human settlements and land clearance for agriculture, the Puma is being pushed into smaller pockets of its historically vast range, retreating into more hostile mountain environments that are further away from people. The Puma is one of the most dominant predators throughout much of their natural environment and are therefore rarely preyed upon by other species. Females weigh 110 pounds while the larger male weighs approximately 176 pounds, and they are generally between 10 … That means that, in scientific terms, the puma is more closely related to the domestic cat than they are to lions. Please support these organizations with their important work if you can. The global conservation status of Pumas is Least Concern (LC) although some subpopulations are considered threatened. What Does A Puma Look Like? You can?t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow. The following websites have well researched and authoritative information on pumas  / mountain lions / cougars: Preview The Secret Lives of Big Cats filmed using high tech starlight and thermal imaging night cameras to capture previously unrecorded behavior. OUR DATA: We use the most recent data from these primary sources: AnAge, UMICH, Max Planck, PanTHERIA, Arkive, UKC, AKC. The puma is said to hold the record for the animal with the most number of names! Some use the term 'botanical name' however that term is only applicable to the plant kingdom (botany) and not the animal kingdom (zoology). The animal has more names in the dictionary than any other animal. One of the most famous subspecies of Puma is the Florida Panther which is the smallest of the Puma species and also the rarest. Florida panther Puma concolor coryi. It is known as the mountain lion, cougar, puma, catamount, and about 40 other names in English. Common Name : Mountain Lion Scientific Name : Puma concolor Taxonomy- Domain: Archaea Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Puma … Since pumas are, in the biological sense, small cats, they are capable of purring continuously. In fact, the cougar has more monikers than almost any other living mammal, around 40 in English alone. E) family. amzn_assoc_asins = "B00332GE48,B00FO82FKG,B001GIPGG8,1552091724"; "Nature’s landmark papers, award winning news, leading comment and expert opinion on important, topical scientific news and events. It is widely believed however that the Puma’s adaptability has been vital in ensuring that it doesn’t disappear from the wild forever. Their coats are tawny, reddish or grayish brown -- although occasionally melanistic, or all-black, individuals are recorded. Some regions can become so hostile that Pumas migrate from the mountain forests and go down into the valleys to escape the worst of the cold. Its scientific … The adaptable Puma (Puma concolor) is also known as the Cougar, Mountain Lion and Panther among many other names. In 1967, the Department of the Interior … Although these seem to be the Puma’s preferred conditions they are extremely adaptable animals that can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, tropical jungle, grasslands and even in more arid desert regions. Thought to be on the brink of extinction, this endangered animal has more of a red tinge to the fur on its back along with having a dark spot in the centre. The Puma is a large and powerful carnivore, hunting and eating only other animals in order to survive. The large, tawny, long-tailed cat native to the New World probably has more common names than any other animal: cougar, puma, mountain lion, panther, painter, and catamount are the best known names in the United States, but several dozen additional names … Felis concolor was the scientific name proposed by Carl Linnaeus in 1771 for a cat with a long tail from Brasilia. Pumas are known to make a variety of different sounds, particularly when warning another Puma away from their territory and during the mating season when they are looking for a mate. B) genus. The scientific name for a puma is "felis concolor" and is also referred to as the mountain lion. The puma goes by a few different names, including panther, mountain lion and cougar. The Puma is an incredibly powerful predator and has muscular hind legs that are slightly longer and stronger than the front, which makes them more agile when leaping. Never ones to ignore animal-related questions, we immediately got to work, dove into research, and emerged with a list of presidential dogs. A mountain lion, or puma, has the scientific name Felis concolor. Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students.ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. amzn_assoc_linkid = "830ff3cbdb3ad6be9edffb3252ee9351"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; They also have enormous paws which are very large in comparison to their body size. Unlike the one-colour adult Pumas, cubs are born with spots on their fur which helps them to be more easily camouflaged from hungry predators. The higher and lower classifications of this group are as follows: D) order. Despite being pushed into smaller regions of their vast historical range, the Puma has been listed by the IUCN as an animal that is of Least Concern of becoming extinct in its natural environment in the immediate future. Also commonly known as the Cougar and the Mountain Lion, Pumas are able to reach larger sizes than some 'big' cat individuals but despite their large size they are believed to be more closely related to smaller feline species. Often called "the cat of many names," it's referred to as the puma, panther, mountain cat, mountain lion, mountain screamer, painter and catamount, just to name a few. Which president had eight dogs but no children? The scientific name for the Puma or Cougar or Mountain Lion is Puma concolor which is also known as the binomial name, species name, latin name, biological name or zoological name. capricornensis P.c. Projects include facilitating recolonization and dealing with new threats of road barriers and roadkill in built up areas in North America. Pumas patrol large home ranges in search of food which varies from 80 square miles in the summer to 40 in the winter, when the falling snow restricts access to a number of mountain areas. amzn_assoc_title = ""; The following organizations offer tours to South America where you are likely to see Pumas in their natural habitat. The scientific name for the Puma or Cougar or Mountain Lion is Puma concolor which is also known as the binomial name, species name, latin name, biological name or zoological name. These companies offer small group experiences, support conservation projects, and indicate their trips are environmentally and ethically responsible: Always bear in mind that sightings of any particular animal in its natural environment are not guaranteed and the experience of guides will greatly enhance your success. Puma is called by many names like ‘Cougar’, ‘Mountain Lion’, ‘Panther’, ‘Catamount’ etc. The Puma is a fearsome predator and although attacks on Humans are rare, they do occur nonetheless. The name cougar comes from an old word that South American Indians had which was, cuguacuarana which got shortened to cuguar and was then spelled differently. Unlike the big cats in the genus Panthera, the puma cannot roar. The Puma is a large, secretive Cat predominantly found in the mountains from southern Canada to the tip of South America. Depending on the subspecies and location, the Puma’s fur varies in colour from brown-yellow to grey-red, with those individuals found in colder regions being more grey and those found in warmer areas having more of a red tinge to their fur. The puma is a member of the Felidae family and is the largest predator in Patagonia. The puma is a large cat of North and South America. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. Some use the term 'botanical name' however that term is only applicable to the plant kingdom (botany) and not the animal kingdom (zoology). Based on genetic studies referenced in the last taxonomic revision of Felidae in 2017, six subspecies of Pumas are recognized: Puma concolor cougar - North America Puma concolor costaricensis - Central America, Puma concolor capricornensis - South America - eastern Puma concolor concolor - South America - northern Puma concolor cabrerae - South America - central Puma concolor puma - South America - southern. C) kingdom. This genus is part of the Felinae. The biggest threat to the Puma however, is people who have not only hunted this large Cat (mainly for its fur) but the Puma has also been subjected to drastic habitat loss throughout much of its natural range, mainly due to expanding Human settlements and deforestation for agriculture. Pumas are solitary cats and have the largest ranges of all wild terrestrial mammals in the Western Hemisphere. Puma population numbers throughout both North and South America have been declining over the past century particularly, mainly due to habitat loss and the shooting of Pumas by farmers who fear for their animals. In some areas they are also hunted by ranch owners who blame Pumas for their loss of livestock. The Puma is a large, secretive Cat predominantly found in the mountains from southern Canada to the tip of South America. Source Collection Flickr Many Pumas live to an average age of 12 years but they have been known to reach 25 years old in captivity. Discover How Long Puma Lives. The breeding season tends to occur between December and March with litters of up to 6 cubs being born after a three month gestation period, generally between February and September. Puma concolor coryi The Florida panther is a subspecies of Puma concolor (also known as mountain lion, cougar, or puma) and represents the only known breeding population of puma in the eastern United States. ", © Wild Cat Family 2020 - This Page Last updated: November 23, 2020 at 16:14 pm, Puma Classification ~ Mountain Lion Classification ~ Cougar Classification ~. It is about the same size as a jaguar, the only other large cat of the Western Hemisphere. Not only can Pumas easily adapt to different surroundings but they are also able to hunt effectively during the day or night. They are able to eat solid food when they are between 2 and 3 months old and remain with their mother for about a year. The large size of the Puma though also means that it can hunt bigger animals including Sheep, Raccoons, Goats and livestock which it catches by pouncing onto the animal to secure it. Most of these books also have Kindle Editions. Due to their extensive distribution, there are 7 subspecies of Puma all of which share similar characteristics but tend to vary slightly in colour and occasionally size. Pumas are widespread from Canada through North and Central America to South America, but have disappeared from many regions within this vast range due to persecution. This is something distinctive to the ‘big’ Cat family as no other feline is able to do so. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; A reader recently asked: Which U.S. presidents had dogs and what were their breeds? The Italian Greyhound is a miniature dog with a big motor and personality! Rare cases of severe starvation have also led to Pumas attacking Humans although this is not that common as people are not generally seen as prey to them. 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.\" Puma is the name the Incas gave this cat in their language. There have been nearly 100 recorded attacks on Humans but most of these occur because the Puma has been cornered or feels threatened in some way. Puma is the commonly accepted scientific … Like numerous other felines, Puma cubs are born blind and are completely helpless for their first two weeks of life until their blue eyes fully open. These cats have adapted to numerous habitats, from temperate and tropical forests to grasslands and deserts. TAXONOMY : The currently accepted scientific name for the mountain lion is Puma It is in the family Felidae and subfamily Felinae. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; concolor P.c. puma. Felidae Conservation Fund - San Francisco Puma Project, Urban Carnivores - Mountain Lions Los Angeles, Panthera - Puma Program: Yellowstone, California, Chile. The term Felis is the A) species. In keeping with its Linnaean name, scientists call the cat a puma. After mating, the male and the female part company and he will continue to mate with other females for the duration of the season. It was placed in the genus Puma by William Jardine in 1834. Produced by CuriosityStream. Their strong and muscular hind legs and large paws mean that the Puma can move about amongst the rocks more quickly and with greater agility. Although they are not endangered, they are disappearing from much of their range because of human activity. Also commonly known as the Cougar and the Mountain Lion, Pumas are able to reach larger sizes than some ‘big’ cat individuals but despite their large size they are believed to be more closely related to smaller feline species. Scientific Name: Puma concolor There are 6 sub-species of puma concolor that range from North America all the way down through Central America to the tip of South America. Thirty subspecies are generally recognized worldwide. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "wildcatfamily-01-20"; Whilst writing the scientific name of any species, you need to keep a note of the fact that the first letter of the genus name is always written in its capital form, while the first letter of species name or species descriptor is never started with a capital letter―not even if it is derived from a proper noun. This is because Pumas are not only incredibly adaptable animals but they are also quite common in the more remote mountainous regions. In fact, many feel that it is the Pumas ability to adapt to a number of different environments that has been the reason as to why the population is still as numerous as it is. Due to the fact that the majority of Pumas are found in more mountainous regions, they have a thick coat of fur which helps to keep them warm in the freezing winters. Taxon: Mammal Breeding Range: South Florida; Status: Endangered; The Florida panther is a subspecies of Puma concolor (also known as mountain lion, cougar, or puma) and represents the only known breeding population of puma in … cabrerae P.c. The series includes seven episodes on the secret lives of Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, Leopards, Snow Leopards, Pumas and Cheetahs. The Puma is thought to be one of the most adaptable felines on the American continents as they are found in a variety of different habitats and unlike numerous Cat species, the Puma has no markings on its fur leading to its scientific name Felis concolor which means ‘cat of one colour’. “Concolor,” the species name for the puma, is Latin for “of one color.” This is an apt description of the animal, as pumas are uniformly plain in hue. A small dog with a big, lively personality. Cougar Scientific Name The cougar is known by the scientific name “puma concolor” or “felis concolor.” Carl Linnaeus proposed the name “felis concolor” to describe a big cat that has a long tail. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Due to their extensive distribution, there are 7 subspecies of Puma all of which … The Puma is found in the mountains throughout South and North America where it inhabits rocky crags and pastures slightly lower down than the slopes than the grazing herbivores. The Puma is a solitary animal with the exception of the time cubs spend with their mother. All of these names are con… Instead, it can growl, hiss, screech, and purr. The following organizations are actively protecting the declining populations of Pumas. Its scientific name is Puma concolor. Cougar seems to have come from an old South American Indian word, cuguacuarana, which was shortened to cuguar and then spelled differently. 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