Female home ranges are about half that of males and there in considerable overlap in female home ranges. Adult male cougars’ home ranges will often overlap those of three or four females. Adult male cougars roam widely, covering a home range of 50 to 150 square miles, depending on the age of the cougar, the time of year, type of terrain, and availability of prey. Cougars use steep canyons, rock outcroppings and boulders, or vegetation - such as dense brush and forests - to remain hidden while hunting. Geographic rangeĬougars occur throughout Washington where suitable cover and prey are found.
For additional information, see this cougar brochure. Cougar kittens are spotted until they are 4-5 months old, after that, barring patterns may remain up to 14 months of age. Cougars vary in color from reddish-brown to tawny (deerlike) to gray, with a black tip on their long tail. Adult female cougars rarely exceed 110 pounds. Adult males stand about 30 inches tall at the shoulder. Adult males average approximately 140 pounds but in rare cases may weigh 180 pounds and measure 7-8 feet long from nose to tip of tail. Monofilament recovery and recycling programĬougars are the largest members of the cat family in Washington.
