Facts to Help You Along

Cougar Facts

This is a very brief, very sketchy detailing of typical mountain lions (cougars). Mostly things to keep in mind when creating your character. Aside from color, though, these are by no means constraints on your imagination, as long as you stay within the realm of realism.

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Physical Characteristics

* Slender and agile
* Typically stand just over 2 feet tall at the shoulders.
* Length of adult males >> 8 feet from nose to tail (5 to 9 feet approx.)
* Males typically weigh 115 - 220 pounds (average 137 pounds)
* Femails typically weigh 64 - 141 pounds (average 93 pounds)
* 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.
* Have large paws and proportionally the largest hind legs in the cat family.
* Great leaping and short-sprint ability.
* Have an exceptional vertical leap of 18 feet.
* Horizontal jumping capability from standing position is suggested anywhere from 20 to 40 feet.
* Can run as fast as 35 to 45 mph, but better adapted for powerful sprints.
* Adept at climbing,
* Can swim.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

* Females reach sexual maturity between 1 1/2 and 3 years old.
* Typically have one litter every 2 to 3 years.
* Estrus approximately 8 days; Gestation approximately 91 days.
* Reportedly monogamous (uncertain, but for the sake of this RP, we'll say it's true).
* Only females are involved in parenting.
* FIERCELY protective of their cubs.
* Litter size is between 1 and 6 cubs (typically 2 or 3).
* Cubs are born blind and completely dependent on their mother at first.
* Weaning begins at around 3 months.
* Survival rates are just over one per litter.

Social Structure

* Mostly solitary.
* Only mothers and kittens live in groups.
* Adults only meet to mate.