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Cougar: Difference between revisions
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== Ecology == | == Ecology == | ||
The cougar species is found in a broad variety of habitats, including all forest types as well as lowland and montane ( meaning: of or inhabiting mountainous country) deserts. Several studies have shown that a habitat with dense understory vegetation is preferred, although , cougars can live in very open habitats with only a minimum of vegetative cover. <ref>[http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18868/0 Puma Concolor] ‘’Red List'.Date of access may 29 2014. Author Unknown</ref>Pumas are capable of taking on large prey, but when available small to medium-sized prey those end up being more beneficial in their diet. In North America, deer make up 60-80% of a cougars diet. cougars are highly adaptable, found in a diverse range of habitats, from arid deserts to tropical rain forests even to a cold coniferous forest, from sea level up to 5,800 metres in the Andes. <ref>[http://www.arkive.org/puma/puma-concolor/image-G18533.html Puma Concolor] Arkive .Date of access may 29 2014. Author Unknown</ref>In Florida, however, where deer numbers are low, cougars take on smaller prey including pigs, raccoons and armadilllos, and deer account for only about 1/3 of the diet. Although terrestrial, pumas can swim and climb trees when they need to. Mountain lions inhabit most terrestrial habitats from deserts to humid coast range forest from sea level to even 10,000-foot elevations. <ref>[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Puma_concolor/ Puma Concolor] animal diversity web .Date of access may 29 2014. Author Unknown</ref>Mountain lions thrive in large, wild landscapes, which support their large home ranges where the prey that they feed on are. Some cougars live in both wetlands and drylands. Typically they prefer areas with lots of cover but they can live in either. The panther is a good swimmer and often moves between wetlands and drylands. | |||
== Other == | == Other == | ||
