Difference Between Cougar and Panther

Cougars and panthers are big cats that confuse many people. They look similar but you will find the Difference Between Cougar and Panther here.

Cougars reside throughout the Americas, stretching all the way from Canada to South America.

Panther, on the other hand, is used generically to refer to different species; it can particularly refer to leopards, jaguars, or even cougars that have lots of black in their coat.

Currently, wildlife estimates show that there are about 6 million cougars left in the wild. Panther species, such as the black jaguar, are even rarer-it has been stated that there are only about 10,000 jaguars worldwide. The average weights of cougars are 120-220 pounds. Depending on the species, panthers can weigh up to 350 pounds. These cats are very different in habitat, coloration, and habits. Much of the confusion will be cleared in this article by plainly setting forth the facts. Finally, you will understand how to differentiate.

Main Difference Between Cougar and Panther

Cougars and panthers do not refer to the same entity. The cougar is a species of cat with light brown coloring. They live in mountains and forests. Panthers are not one species; they are big cats such as leopards or jaguars having dark coats. Cougars find residence in the Americas. Panther is distributed over the territories of Africa, Asia, and South America, based on the type. Cougars weigh 120-220 lbs. The panther can weigh up to 350 lbs. A Cougar is a cat that enjoys climbing trees but greatly prefers swimming when compared to a panther. Panthera onca, also called panther, has a very strong bite, and jaguars are very proud of it. Those basic differences are the ones.

Cougar Vs. Panther

What is a Cougar

A cougar is a big cat with many names. People call it a mountain lion or puma too. It lives in North and South America. Its fur is light brown or tan. Cougars are great hunters. They eat deer, elk, and small animals. One cougar can jump 15 feet high. They weigh between 120 and 220 pounds. Males are bigger than females. About 6 million cougars live in the wild today. They like forests, mountains, and deserts. Cougars are shy and avoid people. They can run up to 50 miles per hour. This makes them fast and strong.

Read Also: Difference Between Stag and Buck

Cougars don’t roar like lions. They purr or growl instead. A cougar’s territory can be 100 square miles. They mark it with scratches and scents. Cubs stay with their mom for 1-2 years. Then, they leave to find their own space. Cougars live about 10-12 years in the wild. They hunt at night mostly. Their eyes glow in the dark. This helps them see prey. Cougars are lone animals. They don’t live in groups. These facts show how special cougars are.

What is a Panther

A panther isn’t one type of cat. It’s a name for big cats with dark fur. Most often, it’s a black leopard or jaguar. Leopards live in Africa and Asia. Jaguars live in South America. Their black color comes from extra pigment. Only 1% of jaguars are black, according to research. Panthers are strong and sneaky. They weigh 100-350 pounds, depending on the species. Jaguars have the strongest bite of all cats. About 10,000 jaguars are left in the wild. Panthers hunt at night. They eat deer, pigs, and even crocodiles.

Read Also: Difference Between Wolves and Dogs

Panthers love water more than most cats. Jaguars swim to catch fish or caimans. A panther’s roar is loud and scary. Their spots are hidden under dark fur. Cubs are born with spots you can see. The panthers live 12-15 years in the wild. Their homes are jungles or swamps. A jaguar’s territory can be 20-50 square miles. They climb trees well, too. Panthers are rare and hard to spot. People admire their beauty. These traits make the Panthers stand out.

Comparison Table “Cougar Vs. Panther”

Difference Between Cougar and Panther in Detail

Get to know the Difference Between Cougar Vs. Panther in Detail.

1. Species Type

Cougars are one species called Puma concolor. They have light brown fur and no spots. Every cougar looks similar. They don’t change color much. Scientists say 6 million cougars exist today. They’re all the same type of cat. This makes them easy to identify. Cougars live alone and hunt quietly.

Panthers are not one species. They can be leopards or jaguars with black fur. Their dark color hides spots underneath. Only 1% of jaguars are black panthers. This makes them special and rare. Panthers come from different cat families. Their looks depend on where they live. That’s why the Panthers vary more than the Cougars.

2. Habitat

Cougars live in the Americas only. They roam from Canada to Chile. They like mountains, forests, and deserts. A cougar’s home can stretch 100 square miles. About 80% of their range is wild land. They adapt to cold and hot places. Cougars stay away from cities. This keeps them safe.

Panthers live on different continents. Black leopards are in Africa and Asia. Black jaguars are in South America. They prefer jungles and swamps. A jaguar’s territory is 20-50 square miles. About 70% of jaguar land is rainforest. Panthers love wet areas. This fits their hunting style.

3. Size and Weight

Cougars are big but not huge. Males weigh 140-220 pounds. Females are lighter at 90-150 pounds. They stand about 2-3 feet tall. Their body is 6-8 feet long with a tail. Cougars are built for jumping. They’re strong but lean. This helps them climb well.

Panthers are heavier and bulkier. A jaguar panther can weigh 200-350 pounds. Leopards are 100-200 pounds. They’re 3-4 feet tall. Their bodies are 7-9 feet long. Panthers are made for power. They have thick muscles. This makes them great at tackling big prey.

4. Color

Cougars have light brown or tan fur. They don’t have spots as adults. Cubs have spots that fade away. Their color helps them hide in dry areas. About 95% of cougars look the same. This simple coat suits their home. It’s perfect for sneaking up on prey. Cougars blend into rocks and trees.

Panthers are dark brown or black. Their fur hides spots you can barely see. Black comes from a gene mutation. Only 6% of leopards are black. For jaguars, it’s just 1%. This dark color helps in jungles. It makes them hard to spot. The Panthers look mysterious because of this.

5. Hunting Style

Cougars hunt by stalking quietly. They like deer, elk, and rabbits. They jump from high spots to attack. One leap can be 15 feet high. Cougars kill with their claws and teeth. They hunt alone at night. About 70% of their hunts succeed. This shows how sneaky they are.

The Panthers are bold hunters. Jaguars attack big prey like caimans. Leopards go for antelope or monkeys. They drag prey up trees. Jaguars use their strong bite—twice as powerful as a lion’s. Panthers hunt in water, too. About 60% of their hunts work. They’re fierce and fearless.

6. Sound

Cougars don’t roar loudly. They purr, growl, or scream. Their scream sounds like a person yelling. This scares prey or rivals away. Cougars are quiet most of the time. They use sound to talk to cubs. Only 10% of big cats purr like this. It’s unique for cougars.

Panthers roar with power. Jaguars and leopards make deep, loud sounds. A jaguar’s roar can be heard 2 miles away. This warns other animals to stay back. Panthers use roars to claim territory. Their sound is stronger than a cougar’s. It fits their bold nature. About 90% of panthers roar.

7. Population

Cougars have a big population. Experts guess 6 million live in the wild. They’re found in 20+ countries in the Americas. Cougars adapt well to changes. Only 5% are in danger today. They’re not rare like other cats. This makes them successful survivors. People see them more often.

The Panthers are much rarer. Black jaguars number around 10,000 in total. Black leopards are even harder to count. Their homes are shrinking fast. About 50% of jaguar land is gone. The Panthers face bigger threats. Their low numbers worry scientists. They’re special but at risk.

FAQs: Cougar Vs. Panther

Conclusion

Now you know the Difference Between Cougar and Panther. The cougar is one species well represented all over the Americas. The panther is a grab bag of big cats fitted with dark coats. Whereas the cougars go after deer and elk, panthers hunt bigger prey, like crocodiles. There are about a thousand black jaguars left in the world, so true panthers are quite rare.

Cougars can jump as high as fifteen feet; Panthers are better swimmers. Both are spectacular creatures, for sure, but they lead their lives in almost totally opposite ways. With cougars thriving at 6 million and jaguar numbers dwindling to 10,000, their future seems to be very different. Holding this information helps us to appraise these wild cats. From now on, when “cougar” or “panther” comes up, then you would have to know for sure.

References & External Links

• 10 Incredible Facts About Cougars
• 10 Interesting Facts About Panthers