These names all have different origins. The name used depends on location. Unlike other big cats, however, the cougar cannot roar. Panther, puma, cougar, or mountain lion are all different names for the same animal. Instead, the large feline purrs like a house cat. Yes, there are about 4 names for a cougar. Spanish explorers in South and North America named the animal “gato monte” (cat of the mountain). These names all have different origins. Misc: The cougar has the greatest natural distribution of any mammal in the Western Hemisphere except for man. The cougar is known by many names including mountain lion, puma, cougar and panther. The Mountain Lion Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization protecting mountain lions and their habitat. Cougar attacks on humans do occur, but are very rare, in fact, less than 30 people have ever been reported as being killed by mountain lions Therefore, a proper understanding is necessary about these names and the differences between them would be important to be aware of if there are any. Cougars and mountain lions are the same animals. A cougar in the wild. Mountain Lion vs Puma . In "The Cougar Almanac: A Complete Natural History of the Mountain Lion," Robert H. Busch lays out the derivation of the puma’s two best-known names, both of which have their roots in South America. Their bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest. Image Courtesy: “Mountain Lion” by USFWS Mountain-Prairie – 8th Place – Mountain Lion, (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia Term ‘mountain lion’ is commonly used by North Americans, whereas other names like a puma,panther, are commonly used by South Americans to call cougars. The cougar is extremely agile and has great jumping power and may leap from the ground up to a height of 18 feet into a tree. And FYI, mountain lions, cougars, pumas, and Florida panthers are all the same thing. Spotting a mountain lion in the wild is extremely rare, but hikers often find clues of their presence like scat, recent kills, and scratches left on trees. Cougar vs Mountain Lion . Unlike bears (see defense against bear attacks here), Mountain Lions (also known as cougar, puma, mountain lion, mountain cat, catamount or panther) usually go after a person with the intent to eat them. The cougar is a big cat known by many names including panther, mountain lion, puma and up to 80 more, but these are all the same species, Puma concolor. Let’s start by getting the most dramatic scenarios out of the way first. Mountain lions are large, tan cats. The DNR maintains mountain lion sightings using a system to receive, record and review mountain lion reports. The total population of this giant carnivorous cat is not known, but … “Mountain lions are apex predators and should be considered dangerous, although attacks on humans are extremely rare,” says Goodman. Puma, mountain lion, cougar, painter, mountain cat, catamount, and many other names are being used to refer the same animal. If a mountain lion attacks you, you probably won’t see it coming. From the deep canyons to the high plateaus of Zion roams a large, stealthy predator: the mountain lion, or cougar. Are Cougars and Mountain Lions the Same Thing? As with many predators, however, a cougar may attack if cornered, or a fleeing human stimulates a cougar’s instinct to chase or a person “plays dead” and seems like a target. The cougar is known by many names including mountain lion, puma, cougar and panther. In fact, this animal holds the Guinness world record for the highest number of names being used for a particular animal. Mountain lion is the most common name. The cougar (Puma concolor), also puma, mountain lion, or panther, is a mammal of the Felidae family, native to the Americas. Black markings decorate the tip of the tail, ears, and around the snout. The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is sometimes called cougar, puma, catamount and panther.Mountain lions once lived in much of the eastern United States.