We’re the Chatham Cougars, but how much do we actually know about our mascot?
1. Cougars can’t roar.
Despite the much-loved Chatham chant, cougars aren’t able to roar. Instead…
2. Cougars purr.
Which means that…
3. A cougar is basically a bigger version of your pet cat.
It’s a drastic simplification, but it’s nearly true: not only do they purr, but cougars and housecats have similar ear, head and body shapes.
4. Cougars can climb.
Don’t invite them to an arboretum.
5. Cougars can make 20-foot leaps.
Excellent news for the Track & Field team.
6. The cougar goes by five names.
Puma, panther, mountain lion, catamount, cougar. Technically, Chatham shares a mascot with both Pitt and Penn State.
7. Cougars love to eat deer.
They’re also fans of raccoons. The furrier residents of Woodland Road are likely glad there aren’t any real cougars on campus.
8. A typical Cougar weighs around 136 pounds.
As a point of comparison, the CDC reports that the average American woman over 20 years of age weighs 166.2 pounds.
9. Cougars only hang out with one another when it’s mating time.
A female Cougar will care for her 2 or 3 babies for about two years, but the male doesn’t even stick around that long.
10. Cougars are endangered.
Want to help save the Cougars? Consider a donation to the World Wildlife Fund, or take a course through Chatham’s School of Sustainability. All animals need advocates; you can be one of them.
Sources:
Animal Fact Guide (Facts 1-6 and 9)
National Geographic (Facts 6-8 and 10)
Photos:
1. Eric Kilby, 2. Tambako The Jaguar, 3. Tambako The Jaguar, 4. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 5. Tambako the Jaguar, 6. Charles Barilleaux, 7. Neil McIntosh, 8. Daniel Garcia Neto, 9. Tambako The Jaguar, 10. Mike Fisher