Panthers and cougars are both animals with confusing etymologies. The name leopard can refer to any “big cat,” but is most commonly used to refer to leopards and jaguars, which have black fur. Mountain lions are also known as mountain lions and cougars. So, before we examine the idea of how to tell the difference between a panther and a cougar, we have to define which animal we’re talking about.
Your best bet is the cougar, which is the larger of the most common big cats they’re named after, compared to the jaguar. We will therefore compare the jaguar, the larger big cat to which the term leopard refers, to the puma. Let us show you the huge differences between these mammals!
Comparing Panthers and Cougars
Key Differences Between Leopard and Mountain Lion
The biggest differences between leopards and cougars include their size and coloration. The jaguar variant of the panther is larger than the cougar in terms of weight and musculature, but they are about the same height and length as the cougar.
Also, the cougar is tawny with a cream underside. Panthers are black varieties of two cat species: leopards and jaguars. Both mammals have distinctive patterns on their bodies. Depending on how dark the leopard’s fur has reached, these rosette patterns may be clear enough to be seen, or they may be completely obscured by black.
These are the biggest differences between panther and cougar. However, other ways of distinguishing these organisms exist, and we will explore them in more detail.
Panthers vs Cougars: Size
In most cases, panthers are larger than cougars. Although the animals may be similar in maximum length and height, black panthers tend to be larger due to their muscular build. Panthers are stronger than cougars and can weigh up to 100 pounds more. Still, size is an ineffective way of distinguishing these animals.
Leopards and Mountain Lions: Species Defined
The term panther doesn’t refer to a specific species, but “mountain lion” does. Panther is a term often applied to leopards, jaguars, and sometimes mountain lions of the Florida and Carolina panthers. Therefore, leopard is a very broad term.
The name “mountain lion” isn’t entirely accurate either, but it refers to an animal that goes by multiple names. The most common name for these mammals is the puma, but they are also known as pumas and nitani lions.All these animals belong to this species cougar or any of their subspecies, especially those recognized in South America.
this Puma Also known as the South American puma or Andean mountain lion, they live only in South America and are smaller than their northern relatives.
Panther vs Mountain Lion: Colors
The panther is black and the cougar is tawny with a creamy belly, chest and neck. The reason why panther is the most common term for leopards and jaguars is because both creatures have a black variant that makes them black.
So a panther is a leopard or jaguar whose fur is all black with a faint rosette that is non-existent to the human eye. Otherwise, they are mostly black, but you can still make out the rosettes when light shines on these creatures.
Cougars have fur in shades of tawny, reddish, and cream. The light can make their fur look lighter or darker, more gray than brown. If you saw either of these two creatures, you could almost instantly tell them apart by their fur.
Panther vs Mountain Lion: Locations
Cougars live in North, Central and South America, while panthers live in Africa, Asia, Central and South America. If we were to include cougars in the umbrella term of panthers, they would technically live in North America as well.
Black panthers, which are actually leopards, live in Africa and Asia. However, the black panther, or puma, lives throughout the Americas. So if you’re in North or South America, you’ll see cougars and jaguars, but you probably won’t see cougars in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Panther vs Mountain Lion: Roar
Panthers, especially jaguars, roar like other big cats, but cougars don’t roar. That doesn’t mean they can’t be vocal and give you a very clear message to hold you back. Cougars can roar, grunt and scream. In fact, their screams are so loud and terrifying that to a person in pain, or in some cases, spiritually, it can be disorienting.
Either way, if you hear any of these animals snarling, growling, or screaming, but you can’t see them, it’s time to pack your bags and get out of the area. They are expert hunters and they do not hesitate to attack humans within their territory.
Panthers vs Mountain Lions: Who will win the battle?
The leopard will win the battle with the mountain lion. Jaguar variants are larger on average than pumas, are more capable of hunting, and can fully blend into dark environments. These creatures are known for finishing their prey quickly and quietly. With their powerful bite, deadly claws and ambush abilities, it’s hard to imagine the cougar winning. Of course, the jaguar will not come out unscathed, as the cougar is still a tough fighter.
Panthers and cougars are big cats that still roam the world today. They are both dangerous creatures and the names cause a lot of confusion. Now you can easily tell them apart!
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.