Cougars are large, muscular cats. They average seven to nine feet in total length, of which up to a third is tail, and weigh between 150 and 200 pounds when full grown. An adult cougar is tan colored with black coloration on the sides of its muzzle, the back of the ears, and the tip of the tail. Cougar kittens are mottled with black spots and have ringed tails until they are about 6 months old.

Our two cougars, Pisgah and Mitchell, came to the Nature Center in October 2010 from the Oregon Zoo.  In May 2011, a newly renovated exhibit opened featuring the cougars and the Nature Center has been enjoying near record crowds ever since.