Cougar Encounter Story

Emily- It's so great outside. The sun is shining bright with all these trees around us.

Henry- I know. It is the best day!

Father- Kids hurry up we have to get up the mountain before afternoon. Don’t you guys want to explore what is up there.

Both kids- Yeah! I can’t wait!

Emily- Oh! It's beautiful here.

Henry- Look at the four deer! They are staring right at us.

Father- Shh! They’ll run away if you are too loud.

Emily- ok

Father- Now let's go on an adventure kids!

Henry- Ooh look at that!

Emily- They are wolves!

Father- Kids slowly walk without making them notice you. Ok?

Both kids- Yes, father.

Emily- Dad look! It's a puma!

Father- Yes Emily, how did you figure that out? Would please tell me and your brother?

Emily- Yes. So, As we all know that we are in Mexico right?

Henry- Yes.

Emily- Pumas are very well known here. Cougars are usually found in the mountains, deserts, grasslands, forests, and swamps.

Henry- But, that is not helpful!

Emily- I know. Cougars are native to Western North America and South America and they are Mainly found in mountain regions of Mexico.

Father- Wow, Emily, where did you learn all that?

Emily- I read a book from my school library about pumas.

Father- Do you want to know more about pumas Emily?

Emily- Yeah!

Henry- Look the puma is sitting now and is staring right at us!

Father- Henry did you know that a puma travels at a speed of 45km/h (30m/h)?

Henry- Whoa! That's fast! Tell me more about them!

Father- They are often hunted by humans and by bears. They average litter size is 3. They have a very bad sense of sight, a good sense of hearing, and a medium sense of smell.

Emily- And pumas usually feed on deer, elk, and beavers. Their favorite food is deer.

Henry- Do they have any special characteristics?

Emily- Look, it's walking away!

Father- Yes, Henry. Pumas have very powerful forearms and paws and muscular jaws.

Emily- Pumas are also known as Cougars,Mountain Lion, Panther and Felis Concolor.

Henry- Really? I didn’t know that a panther was also known as a puma.

Father- So did you guys enjoy our journey to the mountains of Mexico?

Both kids- Yes!