DO YOU LIVE IN COUGAR COUNTRY?

The cougar's hold on the imagination is second only to that of the wolf.  To some people they are the primal spirit of the wilderness, to others a menace to life and livestock.  The real cougar falls between these extremes, admirable for what it is rather than what it symbolizes.

Once cougars were found in every state.  As you can see, the official range map shows that their once great empire has shrunk dramatically.  With protection, cougars are starting to make a comeback, and they have been reported as far east as Missouri!  If you are outside the "official" green zone, there still might have been cougar sightings in your state in recent years.

Cougars are rather private animals.  Your chance of spotting one in the wild are extremely small, though you will never forget the experience.  You are more likely to spot their tracksor to hear the distant cry of a female cougar in search of a mate.  The call sounds much like a woman's scream.

In addition to learning if there are cougars in your area (or might be), find out some facts about cougars from the internet or books.  Answer these questions:  How big are they?  How heavy are they?  What are four types of prey cougars usually eat?  How long do they usually live?