Puma / Cougar / Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) Classification

Puma (Puma concolor) Classification

Pumas belong to the genus Puma and the full taxonomy or scientific classification of the Puma cat species is:

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Phylum: Chordata (vertebrates)

Class: Mammalia (mammals)

Order: Carnivora (carnivores)

Suborder: Feliformia (cat-like)

Family: Felidae (cats)

Subfamily: Felinae (small cats)

Genus: Puma

Species: Puma concolor (puma / cougar / mountain lion)

Subspecies:

P.c. cougar
P.c. costaricensis

P.c. capricornensis
P.c. concolor
P.c. cabrerae
P.c. puma

The scientific name for the Puma or Cougar or Mountain Lion is Puma concolor which is also known as the binomial name, species name, latin name, biological name or zoological name. Some use the term 'botanical name' however that term is only applicable to the plant kingdom (botany) and not the animal kingdom (zoology).

Puma Conservation and Research

The global conservation status of Pumas is Least Concern (LC) although some subpopulations are considered threatened.

The following organizations are actively protecting the declining populations of Pumas. Projects include facilitating recolonization and dealing with new threats of road barriers and roadkill in built up areas in North America.

Felidae Conservation Fund - San Francisco Puma Project

Urban Carnivores - Mountain Lions Los Angeles

Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge

Panthera - Puma Program: Yellowstone, California, Chile

Please support these organizations with their important work if you can. No matter the size of your contribution, every bit helps!

Puma Facts and Information

The following websites have well researched and authoritative information on pumas / mountain lions / cougars:

Puma Status and Distribution Map - IUCN Red List

Puma Detailed Information - IUCN Cat Specialist Group
Puma Academic Literature pdf - IUCN Cat Specialist Group

Puma Fact Sheet - ISEC Int. Soc. for Endangered Cats
Puma Fact Sheet pdf - Wildscreen Arkive
Puma Infographic - Panthera

2019 Big Cat Documentary:

Preview The Secret Lives of Big Cats filmed using high tech starlight and thermal imaging night cameras to capture previously unrecorded behavior. The series includes seven episodes on the secret lives of Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, Leopards, Snow Leopards, Pumas and Cheetahs. Produced by CuriosityStream.

Puma Tours South America

The following organizations offer tours to South America where you are likely to see Pumas in their natural habitat. These companies offer small group experiences, support conservation projects, and indicate their trips are environmentally and ethically responsible:

Naturetrek - South America's Big Cats »
Natural World Safaris - Puma Safari »

Always bear in mind that sightings of any particular animal in its natural environment are not guaranteed and the experience of guides will greatly enhance your success.