Patagonia Puma Facts

Name: Puma, Leon Americano, Cauchero / Cougar, Mountain Lion
Scientific Name: Felis Concolor Patagonica
Family: Felidae
Order: Carnivorous
Size: From 2.2 meters to 2.8 meters, from head to tail. (9.57ft. to 12.20ft.)
Weight: Female 50kg; male 80kg. Both approximate values

Description:
Largest land carnivore in Chile. It is a feline with a muscular and slender body, short broad head, small ears, and a long tail that is thick throughout its length. Its fur is grayish brown or tan.

Reproduction:
They breed in Spring after a 90 to 96-day gestation period and give birth from 1 to 6 cubs, blind and weighing about half a kilo. At 14 days approximately the young open their eyes. At 45 days they weigh 5 kilos and start eating meat while still being breastfed until they are 3 months old. At 8 months they weigh 20 kilos and continue under the care of their mother until age 2.

Observations:
Adults are solitary and congregate only to breed. Cubs are only raised by their mothers. When teaching their young how to hunt, Pumas can kill up to 30 sheep in one night, not for food consumption but for training.

Distribution:
This subspecies is found in Aysen and Magallanes. They dwell in a variety of habitats from dense forest to steppe, including rocky and shrubby areas. The Puma is not present in the Big island of Tierra del fuego, making it a perfect breeding ground for the Guanaco, it's natural prey.

Features:
Great agility. Sight, smell and hearing are greatly developed. Carnivorous animal; prefers to hunt at night, journeying over 50km each time.

Food Habits:
They prey on birds (like upland geese and lesser rheas) and all mammals from rodents to Guanacos.

Puma Tracking in Patagonia:
For a chance to see and photograph the World's largest mountain lion, learn more about our Puma Tracking Tour.