Cougars are cunning hunters and prefer to hunt at night. They often lurk and wait for their victims or quietly pursue them, then swoop in from behind and bite the animal’s spinal cord to death. They often prey on deer, but when the need arises, they will also eat other smaller animals and even insects. Cougars are committed carnivores, and like all cats, they almost never eat plants.
Many other names for the cougar include cougar, cougar, panther, painter, and panther. They are the most geographically diverse cat species in the world, from Chile in the south to Canada in the north.
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Cougars are solitary cats that are well adapted to their surroundings. Because of this ability to adapt, the mountain lion has survived in much of its original territory in the Americas, despite severe habitat loss and ongoing threats.
These cats are very powerful and will not hesitate to kill humans, pets, and anything in between when they are hungry enough. A short Youtube video shows an intimate interaction between one of these beautiful felines and a pack of hounds in a snowy forest.
The power of man’s best friend
Because dogs are more attentive than people, they will warn you if a mountain lion is nearby and may even scare it away. Many hikers bring their dogs for this reason.
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Having said that, cougars can and will attack canines. People who live in cougar territory are often warned to bring small pets in at night. These cats blend easily into their environment and will attack before you or your dog can even react.
The Youtube clip we’re discussing today shows a mountain lion with its back against a tree. Four dogs surrounded it and barked at it to move away from their territory. One advantage these cubs have in this case is that they outnumber cats.
We wish the video was longer so we know how it ends. As animal lovers, we like to think that the cougar got away and all the hounds returned safely to their owners. Interestingly, the lion did not climb a nearby tree when the pack approached.
A comment on the video reads, “When a cat calms down in a chaotic situation, that’s usually when you should be worried. He’s already figured out his game plan. ”
wrote another viewer. “Holding your ground and seeming unmoved in the face of dire odds is a big and small trait of a cat. I’m fully convinced a dog can take it down.” What do you think happened in the end? Check out the video and let us know!
next
- Best Dog Breeds to Deter Cougars
- Watch a Mountain Lion Relentlessly Track a Terrified Hunter
- Can You Spot the Mountain Lion in Disguise in This Viral Photo?
- Watch Three Mountain Lions Investigate a Deserted Country Swing
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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.
