TAXONOMY
-Mountain Lions are part of the kingdom Animalia.
-Mountain Lions are part of the phylum Chordate.
-Mountain Lions are part of the class Mammal.
-Mountain Lions are part of the family Felidae
-Mountain Lions are in the Orders Carnivores, Ferungulata, and Therapsid.
-Mountain Lions are part of the Genus Pumas
-Mountain Lions are part of the Large Cat Species
EVOLUTION
-Mountain Lions have many subspecies including Easter Cougar, North American Cougar, Florida Panther, South American Cougar, Costa Rican Cougar, Puma Concolor Puma, Puma Concolor Cabrerae, Puma Concolor Anthonyi, Barbary Leopard.
-Mountain Lions have been around for around 11 million years.
-The closest related living animals to the Mountain Lion are Lions and Tigers.
-Mountain Lions are known for evolving from the Saber Tooth Tiger but they also are related to the African Cheetah and the American Jagurundi
DESCRIPTION
-Mountain Lions are strong cats that are able to climb trees and prowl.
-Mountain Lions have abnormally strong legs and are able to jump great distances.
-Mountain Lions can be 8 feet long and up to 150 pounds.
-Mountain Lions typically live from 8-13 years.
-Male and Female Mountain Lions can only be told apart by looking closely at genitals.