Puma on a snowy hillside in Patagonia. It was a cold day in Chile’s Patagonia with light snow being blown by a stiff breeze when we found this Puma on a hillside. After a grooming session, a stretch and yawn this lovely big cat set off walking amidst the Mata Negra or black bush: a nice contrast with the lying snow.
The Puma, also known as the Cougar or Mountain Lion in other parts of The Americas, is a remarkable apex predator found in Patagonia, where it inhabits a diverse range of ecosystems from mountainous terrains to grasslands. Key features of the puma include its sleek, muscular body, long tail, and short, rounded ears, which contribute to its agility and excellent climbing ability. Females can reach up to 2m in length from nose to tail and weigh up to 64kg, whilst males are up to 2.4m in length and weigh up to 100kg. Its coat is typically a tawny or greyish colour, providing effective camouflage in the rocky and scrubby landscapes of Patagonia. Pumas are solitary animals, primarily active during dawn and dusk, and are known for their stealth and hunting prowess, preying on a variety of wildlife, including Guanacos and deer.
I find this quote cited in Jim Williams’ book Path of the Puma captures the essence of this superb big cat. ”A long and limber tail, the better to balance in uneven terrain. A short gut, the better to process meat proteins. Eyes with more rods than cones, the better to see in the dark of dawn and dusk. A skull that positions the eyes right up front, the better to see with stereoscopic vision, giving the cats greater depth of field. Paws with furry covering and retractable claws, the better to stalk silent along a path. Tightly coiled muscle, the better to spring straight from a standstill to a sprint, quick as lightning. Longer rear legs than front legs, the better to leap through steep and broken country. A flexible spine, the better to remain agile in rocky mountain topography.”
To watch this Puma on a snowy hillside in Patagonia allows one to appreciate this magnificent big cat at one with its environment.