Cougars are very intelligent big cats. They can track their prey and have great hunting abilities. When they encounter a hostile cougar, they exhibit specific behaviors to display and establish dominance without putting themselves in danger.
In the footage, a tracking camera with a nearby mirror captures the cougar’s reaction when it sees its “opponent.” In fact, the mountain lion was actually his reflection. It shows the cougar trying to investigate what he thinks is another cougar in the area.
One of the interesting aspects of this video is how well it captures the footage at night. Cougars have exceptionally sharp eyes, both on camera and in mirror reflections.
4,867 people failed the quiz
do you think you can
Eventually, the cougar sits on the edge of the mirror. However, he watched the reflection keenly. He stood up, pawed the ground, still looking in the mirror. Amazingly, cougars can run at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour and jump heights of up to 18 feet. The cougar in this video looks ready to pounce at any moment, but he never does. Big cats mostly just paced back and forth in front of the mirror to keep an eye on the intruder.
At one point, the cougar went behind the frame to see what was behind it. Finding nothing, the mountain lion returns to the mirror. At the end of the video, the mountain lion runs into the woods.
next:
The 9 Best Books About Bears – Safety Tips & Species Insight Reviews & Rankings
4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviews & Rankings
The Best Sheep Shears You Really Want to Use
- This man confronted a trapped mountain lion and bravely freed it
- Florida woman snuggles pet alligator in leather jacket around neck
- Watch as the giant silverback terrorizes his own reflection
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.
