The gaucho of the Pampas, the llanero of the savannahs in the north, the
herdsman on the slopes of the Cordilleras facing the Pacific, and the
settlers on the eastern shore, dread the wide-ranging puma--or the
American lion, as the creature, on account of its tawny hide, is wrongly
called. Supplied with powerful limbs, capable of climbing tall trees
and swimming rivers, neither mountains, forests, open plains, nor
streams stop its progress. Like the cat, to which genus it belongs, it
stealthily approaches its prey, and, seizing it with a sudden spring,
rends it to pieces. When coming upon a flock of sheep or vicunas, it
deals havoc and destruction on every side, often striking down in mere
wantonness a far greater number than it can carry off or devour. Yet,
though far larger than the jaguar, it is inferior to it in courage, and,
when boldly opposed by man, will always take to flight; though, like the
jaguar, it will track a human being through the forest, in the hope of
springing on him when unobserved. Yet, boldly faced, it plays the
coward, and will creep off, unable to stand man's steady gaze. Like a
wild cat, it climbs a tree with ease; and, taking post on a branch,
crouches down, stretched out at full length along it, its colour
harmonising with the bark, so that it cannot be seen by its unwary prey
moving near it. As the deer or vicuna passes below, it launches itself
on the doomed creature, and, drawing back its neck with its powerful
claws, breaks the vertebra, and instantly kills it. Darwin states that
he has frequently seen skeletons of huanucus with their necks thus
dislocated.
In the Amazonian forests the puma is not so common as the jaguar. The
colour of its fur resembles that of the deer in these forests. The
natives call it the _sassu-arana_, or the false deer, as it frequently,
in consequence, deceives them at first sight. "It was from this name
being misspelt that it is called the _cuguacuarana_, the first _c_ being
soft," observes Bates. Hence the name cougar, employed by French
zoologists, and copied in most works on natural history. The hunters do
not fear it, describing it as a coward; and such, in spite of its
strength, it undoubtedly is. Still, instances have occurred of its
killing human beings.
It is often found at an elevation of upwards of 10,000 feet. After
killing an animal and eating its fill, it covers over the carcass with
bushes, and lies down to watch it. This habit frequently causes its
destruction, for the condors, attracted by the carcass, assemble from
far and near to their expected feast, when the puma springs out to drive
them off. The gauchos of the Pampas, observing the birds rise together
on the wing, hurry with men and dogs to the chase. Whirling their bolas
round their heads, they quickly entangle the animal's limbs, and then,
throwing their lassoes over it, drag it along the ground till rendered
insensible, when its brains are quickly beaten out. In Chili it is
hunted with dogs, or, driven up a tree, is easily shot. It is noted for
its craft. When once it has been betrayed when watching a carcass, and
has managed to make its escape, it is said never to resume that habit.
When pursued it will stop and spring on one side, and wait till the dogs
have passed by. Unlike the jaguar, which is among the most noisy of
beasts of prey, the puma seldom utters any sound, even when wounded, but
silently takes its way, its presence only known as it makes the fatal
spring on its victim.