Pumas are solitary hunters, fast and strong enough to take down a variety of prey without any help. These animals can chase down and feast on large game like deer as well as small, quick prey like rabbits. While speed plays a major role in their hunting, it isn't the puma's only asset.
Running and Jumping
The puma is a stealthy creature who hunts primarily at dawn and dusk, sneaking around to get the jump on unsuspecting prey. That doesn't mean he can't keep up with a target in motion, though. At a sprint, this animal can reach a top speed of about 50 miles per hour. He can maintain a speed of 10 miles per hour for several miles, so he has stamina as well as the ability to run in fast bursts. When he gets close enough to his prey, his powerful legs help him close the gap with a leap -- he can jump a flat distance of up to 40 feet while running or 18 feet up into a tree.
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Tom Ryan is a freelance writer, editor and English tutor. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English writing, and has also worked as an arts and entertainment reporter with "The Pitt News" and a public relations and advertising copywriter with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
