MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 67 



monly called. Following the universal fashion among the 

 colonists of applying familiar names to natural objects en 

 countered, this large wild cat was early denominated "the 

 panther," although it bears no resemblance to the leopard, 

 which is the true panther. More natural was it to suppose 

 that the animals brought in at first were all females of the 

 lion species. This presumption was given probability by the 

 uniform tawny color and penciled tail of the puma. The 

 name "American lion" has clung to the animal ever since and 

 served to exaggerate the prowess of the rather cowardly 

 beast. The native names cougar and puma are most appro- 

 priately employed. The jaguar is the only feline in America 

 which exceeds the puma in size. The length of a full grown 

 male of the latter exceeds five feet to the root of the tail, 

 which is about three feet long. A female may measure slightly 

 less. When in good condition the weight reaches 150 pounds. 



The body is long and slender, the head small, slender with 

 large ears which have rounded conchs. The legs are short and 

 stout and the feet are large. The tail is cylindrical and taper- 

 ing and at times is furnished with a terminal brush. 



The fur is short and soft but rather dull. The color of the 

 body and legs is a uniform fulvous or reddish tint; the under 

 surface is reddish white; lighter and yellowish about the eyes. 

 Black is found only upon the muzzle and the tips of the ears. 

 The general color is described as like that of the Virginia 

 deer. The young are beautifully and variously mottled and 

 barred with dark brown. The tail is ringed and there is a 

 dusky patch upon the neck. 



The puma ranges over the whole of South America and in 

 North America north to latitude 50-60. It is never really 

 abundant and conforms in its habits and dwelling places to the 

 exigencies of its habitat. In Florida it inhabits the depths of 

 the impassable everglades, *in mountainous regions it makes its 

 lair in the rocky fastnesses of rugged peaks. In Texas it is 

 sometimes found in open prairies. 



The puma is nocturnal by necessity, rather than choice, and 

 sees quite well in day light. It preys upon small or feeble 

 cattle, or such as are mired or otherwise disabled. Fawns, 

 raccoons, skunks, birds and all small animals are eaten. 



When provisions are plentiful the animal is said to only 

 drink the blood of its victims as has been demonstrated by 

 autopsies. As many as fifty sheep may be destroyed in 

 one night by a single puma. In case of scarcity, on the 

 other hand, even carrion is not discarded. 



