What Do House Cats & Mountain Lions Have in Common?
In terms of taxonomy, mountain lions and house cats are of the same kingdom, phylum, class, order and family, though they are of different genus and species. Still the mountain lion--known by other names, such as puma, cougar or panther--and the house cat share similarities in appearance, reproduction and behavior.
Other People Are Reading
-
Appearance
-
According to DesertUSA.com, the mountain lion's shape is "similar to a short-haired house cat, with a relatively small head, shortened face, small and rounded ears, elongated body, and long neck and tail." While mountain lions are many times longer, taller and heavier than house cats, their relative proportions and facial similarities are easily recognizable from one species to the other.
Physicality
-
Both mountain lions and house cats are accomplished jumpers. They can jump to impressive heights vertically, and leap and pounce horizontally in pursuit of prey. Both species are equally adept climbers. They can use this skill to escape predators or spot prey of their own.
Like house cats, mountain lions sleep a lot. When not hunting, dining or wrestling with other cats, both species spend the majority of their lives sleeping.
-
Habitats
-
Domestic cats can be found in households nearly everywhere on the planet. The mountain lion, while not as geographically dispersed, is still found in many places globally, including in large sections of the United States.
"According to 'official' facts and sources, the mountain lion is allegedly found in only 13 states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Colorado, Florida, South Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Wyoming," reports TotalWildlifeControl.com. However, there are numerous reports of these giant cats venturing outside of their "official" territories and showing up in East Coast states. In this way, the mountain lion and the house cat can be found across America.
Hunting
-
In terms of hunting, little varies between the two species except, perhaps, the size of their prey. Mountain lions feed on deer and other smaller animals, including domestic cats and dogs. House cats also prey on smaller animals. In Wisconsin, for example, feral and tame domestic cats kill 39 million birds a year, according to Wildlife.Wisc.edu.
In terms of technique, cats and mountain lions hunt in much the same way. Each is capable of great speed, which they employ after prey is spotted. These hunters chase their prey, pounce and deliver the kill with sharp claws and pointed teeth.
Reproduction
-
As mammals, both mountain lions and domestic cats nurse their young with the milk they produce. Both species produce litters of multiple young and stay with those young until they are ready to fend for themselves.
-
References
- Photo Credit cats image by vb_photo from Fotolia.com
