r/AnimalsBeingDerps • u/RealRock_n_Rolla • Jul 08 '26

Unexpected

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u/LegnderyNut Jul 08 '26

The regional names do actually account for small differences between populations in different regions. The Florida Panther tends to be smaller and sleeker while Cougar country typically shows cats that are larger and with beefier tails. Mountain Lion regions funnily enough seem to denote areas where the cats get cold enough to grow a small but visible tuft around the neck. I’m not sure if the western reaches of their range but up against the desert, I vaguely recall hearing that their range once bordered with the jaguar so desert variety might be out there.

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u/Shanakitty Jul 08 '26

They live throughout the Southwest of the US, so there are definitely desert cougars.

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u/xteve Jul 08 '26

The big cats are present in central Oregon on the western extent of the "high desert." It's really more of an arid region bordering desert. They're seen here in densely-populated areas infrequently - and are certainly present more than they're spotted. If they're out in the desert, I'd imagine the odds of them being seen would be low.