62 THE WORLD OF ANIMAL LIFE 



THE PUMA 



Next to the jaguar, the Puma, or Cougar, as it is sometimes 

 called, is the largest member of the cat tribe to be found in 

 America. It extends over a far greater area than the jaguar, 

 ranging from British Columbia in the north to Patagonia in the 

 far south. In this enormous tract of country, extending over 6000 

 miles in length, there are, of course, great differences of climate, 

 and the puma adapts itself in the most wonderful manner to the 

 peculiarities of the country in which its lot happens to be cast. 

 It is equally at home in the snow-clad mountains of North and 

 South America, in the tropical forests of Brazil, or on the grassy 

 plains of the Argentine. 



In appearance the puma more nearly resembles the lion than 

 the tiger, but it has not the enormous mane to which the lion 

 owes so much of its beauty, and in comparison to its size, which is 

 considerably less than that of the lion, it has a longer body and a 

 shorter head. It is often said that the puma is a cowardly animal, 

 but those who know it best tell extraordinary stories of its courage 

 and ferocity. The mistake has probably arisen from the fact that 

 in South America the puma will scarcely ever venture to attack 

 man. Indeed, so great is its fear of mankind that it makes little 

 or no attempt even to defend itself against the hunter. It is indeed 

 said that the South American puma has been known to guard 

 human beings against the attacks of other animals. 



In North America, on the other hand, the puma is by no means 

 friendly. At times he will venture to attack children, and when 

 wounded will fight desperately with the hunter. But, as a rule, he 

 prefers, if possible, to slink away. 



Very different, on the other hand, is his behaviour towards the 

 various wild animals that compete with him for a living in his 

 native forests, mountains, or plains. There is no animal in America 

 so universally dreaded as the puma. Even the lordly jaguar is not 

 safe from its attacks. A traveller in South America writes that 

 "it is well known that where the two species inhabit the same 



