Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, are impressive predators that roam across North and South America. As winter approaches each year, many people wonder – do these big cats actually hibernate when the weather gets cold?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Cougars do not truly hibernate, but they do become less active in winter.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll take an in-depth look at cougar behavior in winter and explain how these animals survive cold temperatures and scarce prey.
Cougars Remain Active Year-Round
Cougars do not hibernate or spend long periods sleeping
Unlike some other mammals, cougars do not hibernate or spend extended periods sleeping during the winter months. They remain alert and active year-round in order to hunt prey and defend their territories.
Cougars are well-adapted to handle cold winter temperatures thanks to their fur-lined ears and thick, insulating fur coats. Their large paw pads also help them walk on snow and icy surfaces without issue when searching for food.
They remain alert and mobile to hunt prey
Staying active in winter allows cougars to continue hunting prey like deer, elk, and small mammals to meet their dietary needs. In fact, winter is prime hunting season for these big cats as prey animals tend to be weaker and more vulnerable.
Using their expert stealth and stalking skills, cougars are able to take down prey of all sizes even in difficult winter terrain and conditions. Their incredible athleticism and agility makes them perfectly suited for chasing prey in the snow.
But they do conserve energy in winter
While they do remain active for hunting, cougars employ some energy-conserving tactics in winter when food sources tend to be more scarce compared to warmer months:
- They minimize unnecessary movements and travel to preserve calories
- Mothers share kills with cubs rather than always hunting separately
- Individuals may cache or store kills to eat later
In very harsh winters, cougars have been known to display atypical behaviors such as attacking larger prey like moose or even eating plant material to supplement their diet when regular prey is difficult to find.
But overall, their impressive physical abilities and adaptations allow cougars to thrive year-round, even when the conditions get tough.
Changes in Cougar Behavior in Winter
Spend more time resting to conserve energy
Cougars are remarkable animals that can adapt to seasonal changes in their environment. During the harsh winter months when prey is more scarce, cougars will spend more time resting in order to conserve energy.
Instead of constantly hunting, they may find a sheltered spot like a cave or rocky outcropping and lay low for several days. This restful state is different from true hibernation that some other mammals exhibit, but allows cougars to reduce their energy expenditure when resources are limited.
Hunt large prey less frequently
Throughout most of the year, cougars prefer to hunt larger prey like deer, elk, and moose. But when winter arrives, these prey animals are harder to find and catch. Deer and elk migrate to lower elevations and congregate in large herds, making them more difficult to isolate and ambush.
Moose may yard up in large groups as well. With scarce large prey availability, cougars will shift their focus to smaller animals that are easier to capture like raccoons, coyotes, porcupines, and livestock if available.
Cougars are opportunistic hunters, so they will still go after elk or deer if the chance arises. But in general, they reduce the frequency of these energetically-costly hunts during winter when the odds of success are lower. Taking down smaller prey allows them to better balance their energy budgets.
Travel shorter daily distances
The snowy and icy conditions of winter make travel more difficult for cougars. As a result, they reduce the amount of ground they cover on a daily basis. Whereas a cougar might roam 15-20 miles per night during summer, it will likely stay within a 5-10 mile range in its winter territory.
This again comes down to conserving energy in harsh conditions. Trudging through deep snow takes a lot more effort than strolling over bare ground.
By sticking to familiar terrain, cougars can also take advantage of any winter shelters they know exist, like caves or rock overhangs. Being highly adaptable, cougars are able to shift their habits as needed to reduce energy expenditure when food is scarce and conditions are difficult.
While their activity patterns change, cougars do not truly hibernate like some bears do.
Adapting to Scarce Prey in Winter
Switch to easier prey like deer instead of elk
As winter sets in and prey becomes more scarce, cougars exhibit some clever adaptations to survive. One strategy is to switch from hunting their preferred prey like elk to more abundant deer. Deer are smaller and easier for cougars to take down, so expending less energy for a meal makes sense when food is limited.
According to research from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, cougars switch primarily to hunting deer in winter, with deer making up over 85% of their diet compared to around 50% in other seasons.
May cache large kills to eat over several days
Another useful winter tactic is for cougars to cache or hide large carcasses like elk to feed on over several days. This ensures they get the most benefit from a big kill when prey is hard to come by. Cougars will often cover the dead animal with debris like leaves, sticks and snow to hide it from scavengers.
One study in Yellowstone found that cougars cached 42% of elk kills in winter compared to just 15% in summer.
Eat more to build fat reserves before winter
Cougars are smart enough to prepare for winter by bulking up when food is plentiful. Research shows they eat significantly more in summer and fall months to put on extra fat. Carrying this reserve energy in the form of fat helps sustain cougars through the lean winter period.
According to Washington state data, an adult male cougar needs to eat the equivalent of about one deer per week. Their fat storage enables them to survive on less when prey is scarce.
Coping with Cold Temperatures
Grow thick winter coat for insulation
Cougars have adapted to survive cold winters by growing a thick, insulating winter coat. Their summer coat is short and reddish-brown, but as winter approaches, they begin growing a dense underfur that can be up to 2 inches long!
This shaggy gray or tan coat helps trap air close to the cougar’s body to retain heat. The winter fur is so effective that snow may accumulate on a cougar’s back without melting. Through this remarkable adaptation, cougars can withstand freezing temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C).
Their winter coats truly exemplify the saying “necessity is the mother of invention.” 🧥❄️
Seek shelter in caves, brush or under trees
In addition to a warm winter coat, cougars also seek out shelters to escape harsh weather. They may take refuge in caves, rock crevices, hollow logs, thick brush or the underside of large evergreen trees. These shelters block cold winds and retain heat to create a warmer microclimate.
Cougars are quite resourceful in finding or even digging out protected dens to curl up in. According to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife study, a cougar’s core body temperature only drops by 6°F (3°C) even when resting exposed at -4°F (-20°C) outside.
But taking shelter allows them to conserve even more energy and stay warmer.
Sit facing the sun to absorb warmth
Cougars are also observed basking in the winter sun when possible. By facing the sun and tucking their paws under their body, cougars can soak up solar radiation to elevate their body temperature. One research study found that cougars may raise their surface temperature by 9°F (5°C) through sunbathing on cold winter days.
Even though the ambient temperature is below freezing, the sun’s rays provide welcome warmth. Cougars seem to have an intrinsic understanding of solar energy! They typically pick south-facing rocky outcrops to maximize sun exposure.
Through simple behavioral adaptations like basking, cougars can achieve homeostasis and thrive even in frigid conditions.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, cougars exhibit some important behavioral changes in winter but do not actually hibernate like some other mammals. Their ability to remain active year-round allows them to survive in a variety of climates across the Americas.
While they conserve energy by resting more and reducing travel in cold months, cougars stay alert enough to track down prey when needed. Their adaptations for hunting, insulation and shelter allow them to thrive even when food is scarce and temperatures plummet.
