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Cougar: Difference between revisions
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Mountain Lions are relatively uncommon. They are secretive and carnivores and prey on a variety of animals; some favorites include deer and wild hogs. Other prey animals included in this cats diet are rabbits, jackrabbits, and rodents and don’t forget the occasional human when they are extremely hungry.<ref>[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/mlion/ Mountain Lion] ‘'Texas Parks and wild life ''. Date of access May 29 2014. Author Unknown</ref>Some cougars occasionally also kill livestock or dogs. they tend to be solitary, except during breeding. 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. <ref> [http://a-z-animals.com/animals/puma/ Puma] ‘’a-z animals''. Date of access May 29 2014. Author Unknown</ref>After mating, the male and the female part ways and he will continue to mate with other females for the duration of the season. Births can occur any time of year, but most litters are born from June to September at least in North America. | |||
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.<ref>[http://www.example.com The Biology of Cougars in Manitoba] ‘'nature north''. Date of access May 29 2014. Author Unknown</ref> Female cougars usually breed every two to three years. Unlike the adult Pumas, cubs are born with spots on their fur which helps them to be more easily camouflaged from hungry predators.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 kittens are taken of milk at about the age 3 months, but stay with their mothers, dependent on her hunting skills, until around age 2. <ref>[http://dept.lamar.edu/biology/Belize%20study%20abroad/critter%20pages%2012/puma.htm Puma] ''Unknown''. Date of access May 29 2014. Author Unknown</ref>Males don't contribute to raising the young and may kill any kittens they find.Female cougars reach sexual maturity after 1 1/2 years. Surviving to adulthood is low for cougar cubs, with an average of only 1 per litter reaching adulthood.Many of them live to be an average age of 12 years old but they have been known to reach 25 years old in captivity. | |||
== Ecology == | == Ecology == | ||
