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Michael Western Cougar (Felis concolor)
Michael is a male Western Cougar, also known as a Puma, Panther or Mountain Lion. Michael came to us from Oregon and was named in memory of Michael Chestnut Jr., his lifetime sponsor. He was born in 2005 and weighs about 110 pounds.
Michael was born with birth defects and has gone through two surguries. He is pain free and is doing very well. His injuries are in the joints. When you have an opportunity to see him walk, they're very noticeable. The Foundation is commited to providing everything he needs to have quality of life.
Cougars come from all parts of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and live in all types of habitats. In general the size and coloration of the cat varies greatly across its range, which stretches from south west Canada down the western states of North America and throughout most western parts of the South American Continent. Their color and size reflect the areas they are from. Their coats are their camouflage to keep them hidden from predators. The puma has a small, broad head with small rounded ears, a powerful body with long hind legs and tail, which is tipped with black.
The puma hunts alone by day or night, and will hide its food, if large enough, in dense undergrowth, returning to it over several days. It hunts wild deer, sheep, rodents, rabbits, hare and beaver. The puma is big enough to tackle larger prey such as domestic cattle and horses, for which it has earned a bad reputation with livestock farmers. In hunting, the puma uses the strength of its powerful hind legs to lunge at its prey with single running jumps that can reach in excess of 40 feet.
Cougars in Texas and in California are not endangered. However, there is a subspecies that is, the Florida Panther. There are as few as 50 of the Florida Panthers that now survive in the wild.
We are extremely thankful for Michael's sponsor whose generous support is funding the building of his enclosure at the new facility.
Western Cougar Statistics:
| Body Length | 3.3 - 5.3 feet; tail up to 32 inches |
| Weight | up to 225 pounds;females smaller |
| Gestation Period | 90 days |
| Litter Size | 2-3 average |
| Life Span | 10-15 years |
| Status | Least Concern, except for the Florida Panther, which is Endangered |
