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Cougars are slender and agile cats. Adults stand about 2.0 to 2.5 ft tall at the shoulders. The length of
adult males is around 8 ft long. Males typically weigh 115 to 198 pounds, averaging 137 lb. Females
typically weigh between 64 and 141 lb, averaging 93 lb. The head of the cat is round and the ears erect.
It has five retractable claws on its forepaws (one a dewclaw) and four on its hind paws. The larger front
feet and claws are adaptations to clutching prey. Despite its size, it is not typically classified among the
"big cats," as it cannot roar, lacking the specialized larynx and hyoid apparatus of the panther. Like
domestic cats, cougars vocalize low-pitched hisses, growls, and purrs, as well as chirps and whistles.
They are well known for their screams, although these screams are often thought to be the calls of other
animals.

Cougar coloring is plain but can vary greatly between individuals. The coat is typically tawny, but ranges
to silvery-grey or reddish, with lighter patches on the under body including the jaws, chin, and throat.
Infants are spotted and born with blue eyes and rings on their tails. Juveniles are pale, and dark spots
remain on their flanks. Horizontal jumping capability from standing position is suggested anywhere 20 to
40 ft. The cougar can run as fast as 55 to 72 km/h, but is best adapted for short, powerful sprints rather
than long chases. Although it is not strongly associated with water, it can swim.
The cougar will eat any animal it can catch, from insect, to large mammals. Like all cats, it is an
obligate carnivour, feeding only on meat. Its most important prey species are various deer species.
Other species such as domestic horses, and domestic livestock are also primary food bases. Other
listed prey species of the cougar include mice and rabbits. Birds and small reptiles are sometimes
preyed, but this has been rarely recorded. Though capable of sprinting, the cougar typically stalks
through brush and trees, across ledges, or other covered spots, before leaping onto the back of its prey
and biting its neck. The cougar is capable of breaking the neck of some of its smaller prey with a strong
bite, bearing the animal to the ground.

Females reach sexual maturity between one-and-a-half to three years of age. They average one litter
every two to three years throughout their reproductive life. The gestation period is approximately 91
days. Only females are involved in parenting. Female cougars are fiercely protective of their kittens, and
have been seen to successfully fight off animals as large as grizzly bears in their defence. Litter size is
between one and six kittens; typically two or three. Kitten survival rates are just over one per litter.
Sub-adults leave their mother to attempt to establish their own territory at around two years of age. One
study has shown high morbidity amongst cougars that travel farthest from the maternal range, often due
to conflicts with other cougars. Life expectancy in the wild is reported at between 8 to 13 years, and
probably averages 8 to 10.