[9] Females average 45 kg (99 lb), about the same as a jaguar in the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve on the Mexican Pacific coast.

Some mainstream scientists believe that small relict populations may exist (around 50 individuals), especially in the Appalachian Mountains and eastern Canada.

[12] Reported sightings of cougars in the United States continue today, including in locations of their former range where they are considered extirpated.

[24] The North American Cougar is a carnivore and its main sources of prey are deer, elk, mountain goats, moose and bighorn sheep.

[26] The North American cougar usually hunts at night and sometimes travels long distances in search of food.

They are short distance sprinters and can remain hidden for hours to surprise unsuspecting prey and pounce when they least expect it.

[32] The North American Cougar plays an important role in regulating ecosystems as a large predator.

The breeding process does not last a long time, with the male accompanying the female in heat for up to a week after which they separate.

[26] Trophy hunting and loss of territory reflect the most significant threats upon the cougar extinction status.

From mountains to deserts, humans utilize the cougar territory to build new sites and structures for their purposes.

Even though conservation efforts of the cougar have decreased against the "more appealing" jaguar, it is hunted less frequently because it has no spots, and is thus less desirable to hunters.

[37] A study on wildlife ecologists showed that urban cougar populations exist around the Los Angeles metropolitan area, with individuals of these populations having the smallest home ranges recorded for any cougars studied, and being primarily nocturnal and not crepuscular, most likely adaptations to avoid humans in high-density areas.

The caterwaul is a screeching sound made by female cougars during the mating season when competing males are present.