A Cat of Many Names
Pumas go by many names, but throughout much of South America, they are known as Pumas. They are the fourth largest of all the cats; from head to tail, they can reach nearly eight feet. One, shot in Arizona, weighed over 275 pounds, the size of an African Lioness.
Torres del Paine National Park
In the cliffs and caves of Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, Pumas seek shelter where they rest and spot for game. Although found in every country in both North and South America, excepting islands, this is the best location in the world to see and photograph Pumas.
Home Base
A Puma pauses as her two young cubs play in the rocks below her. There are plenty of caves and crevices for shelter, and the area is a favorite denning site for mother Pumas.
In the Valley
From a rocky outcropping, a Puma scans the sweeping valley below it, searching for its favorite prey, the Guanaco. Pumas have a varied diet that also includes birds, like the common Upland Goose, as well as Armadillos and Hognose Skunks.
Guanaco
Framed by the backdrop of the rugged towers of Torres del Paine, a Guanaco stays on the alert for its only predator. If a Puma is spotted, the Guanaco gives a whinnying alarm whistle, alerting others of the danger.
Ambush
Like almost all of the Big Cats, Pumas are ambush predators that wait until their prey is quite close before exploding into a charge. If cover is available, a Puma will wait for hours until a Guanaco walks near enough to make an attempt.
A Failed Attenpt
A Guanaco walks by a mother Puma and her cub. Unfortunately the half-grown cub, still inexperienced in hunting, moved at the wrong time and the hunt was ruined. Pumas must hunt with surprise on their side.
Outrun
This Puma had been feeding on a Guanaco killed days earlier when another Guanaco appeared on the horizon. The cat moved in and waited, and the Guanaco walked within a dozen yards of the crouching cat. Still, that distance was too far, and the Guanaco outran the Puma when it charged.
Protecting the Meal
After feeding, Pumas will cover the carcass’s remains with vegetation it scrapes free from the area nearby. Doing so shields the food from scavengers, especially Andean Condors that could strip the remaining meat free in several minutes.
A Rare Opportunity
After finding this mother Puma and her cubs, we remained within sight of the cat the entire day, giving her time to become comfortable with our presence. Rarely does one have the chance to see, or photograph, a wild Puma with her cubs.
Kittens
The Puma kittens spent much of their time on top of rocks where they played King of the Mountain or simply wrestled. As the top predator in southern South America, the cubs had little to fear.
Observer
One of the Puma kittens studies us while keeping a rocky barrier between us for safety. When first born, Puma kittens have dark fur patterned with large spots that fade as the cub grows older.
The Chirp
Pumas are distantly related to Cheetahs and like that spotted cat, Puma mothers emit a bird-like chirp to draw their cubs’ attention. This high-pitched chirp carries surprising distances, even in the high winds common to this area.
A Playful Pair
Two half-grown Puma cubs play on the edge of a small copse of trees. Play activity hones hunting skills, and Big Cats of all species practice neck holds and bites, moves they’ll later employ to catch prey.
Premium Entertainment
Playful cubs will entertain themselves with anything; their mother’s tail, an old scrap of hide, a gnarly piece of driftwood, or a beckoning limb will do. This cub repeatedly leaped onto this branch, wrestling it to the ground each time.
Retractable Claws
Pumas, like most cats, have retractable claws. When not in use, the claws are hidden in sheaths in their toe pads. By keeping the claws protected, they remain sharp and deadly, ready to be employed for gripping and holding on to prey.
In the Confines of a Cave
From the safety of a cave, a Puma watches the approach of another cat. Encounters with unrelated Pumas can be dangerous, and this Puma prudently chose to leave its shelter and seek safety elsewhere.
A Distinctive Appearance
Born without a tail, this young Puma was unique and instantly recognizable. When she matured, she disappeared, and it was feared she had been killed. Over a year later, she was seen again, in Argentina, in a protected area nearly fifty miles away.
A Popular Park
Tourists from around the world visit Torres del Paine National Park to enjoy the scenery. Most are unaware that they share this landscape with the Puma, the animal with the greatest geographic range in the entire western hemisphere.
Persecuted Cats
Outside the protection of the national park, Pumas are often persecuted as potential sheep killers. Fortunately, some landowners are now recognizing the tourist value Pumas have, and the future of the Puma here is brighter as tourism grows.
