Scientific name:
Profelis concolor

Natural spread:
America

the puma or silver-lion reaches a shoulder-height of 50-80 cm and a length of 105-180 cm and with it the sizes of the leopard. The puma was originally wide spread over north and South America, becomes ever rarer on the basis of the strong prosecution through the human being, however. As strict loner, who goes one Artgenossen already from the way, if it perceives only its smell, it virtually lives in all habitats and is until beyond the timberline. On a very slim body, the relatively small head with the brown eyes sits. its short, dense fur with gray sub-wool varies from reddish gray to brownish silver-gray. At the tail-top, the ear-outsides and over the eyes, it possesses dark insignia.

Way of life Pumas are very location-loyal and live in precincts, that normally don't overlap. Nevertheless it occurs that several female-precincts in-are enough into a male-precinct. Since pumas are extraordinarily peaceful opposite Artgenossen, they don't defend its precincts but rather goes itself from the way. Males mark its area through excrement and urine-brands and particularly through Kratzspuren at trees, females only through urine and excrement.

Nutrition Where its preferred loot is concerned, the pumas get largely ready for the realities. they hunt mammals of mouse - until elk-size, beside it pets and also young carnivores. By the way, they hunt also birds and rare lizards. they overpower its loot through waylaying or creeping along, with subsequent raid-good starting and killing through neck-bite. Although they can run at short notice quite fast, they don't pursue a loot, that it missed once. If they are pursued in turn, what can happen through a herd of wolves occasionally, they usually escape on a tree where they move quite nimbly.

Reproduction The combination-time is not tied at any solid season. After a Tragzeit of 92-96 days, the females, usually in the summer, bring to the world, that the eyes open after 9-10 days, in a hiding place upholstered with moss and foliage 2-4 (rarely 6) black spotted kids. they are nourished for 5 weeks with mother's milk exclusively. Later, the mother reports them loot-animals. During the Ranzzeit, the tomcats often fight bitter fights against each other.

Endangering The puma is strongly endangered through habitat-destruction and unkind prosecution through ranchers. it is subject to the protection through the Washingtoner Artenschutzübereinkommen.