Puma illustration © Bruce Pearson from the Collins Guide to Rare Mammals of the World.

Puma Puma concolor

The Puma, also known as the Cougar or Mountain Lion, has two colouring phases: brown and grey. Pumas vary in size, with the smallest animals occurring at the tropics. The typical body length is 1 to 1.9 metres.

Pumas have been hunted as they are regarded as a threat to livestock. Pumas are classed as extinct or very rare in North America and are considerably reduced in other parts of their range. The Puma is therefore classified as Near Threatened by IUCN. (See IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for more information on the classification of the Puma.)

A Puma photographed by WLT supporter Terry McManus. See a larger image (Use your back button to return here.)

Help Protect the Habitat of Pumas and other Patagonian Wildlife

Pumas occur at the Ranch of Hopes, WLT's Wildlife Refuge in Patagonia. To help protect their habitat, as well as that of sea lions, guanacos and other Patagonian wildlife, support the Patagonia Restoration Fund.

More Information on pumas in Patagonia

• The occurrence of pumas can usually be determined from footprints, kills and faeces, while the animal itself remains elusive. However, pumas have occasionally been spotted on the Patagonia reserve. Read more in: Elusive Puma sighted.
• Find more information on the Puma on ARKive: Images of life on Earth