http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4006403240352137133

This video is from the home of some friends of mine up in Washington state.  I took another visit to the Pacific northwest this past week, and they have two young cougars whom I've been lucky enough to meet on a couple of occasions.

There's no audio, so you'll have to insert your own sound effects here.  This boy is a year old as of today (Sept. 12), and he's already pushing, if not over, 100 pounds.  His sister (from the other video) is now 80-85 pounds.  Twelve months ago, they'd have fit in the palm of your hand.

In other words, they eat a lot.  ;)

I'll hopefully be posting some of the photos from my visit to WildCat Haven (in Oregon) in the near future, as well.  WildCat Haven has seven full grown cougars, along with a number of smaller cats (servals, bobcats, lynx, etc.).  They're mostly former Sanduskies, having been "pets" at one time or another.  

--Last edited by John on 2007-09-12 15:17:04 --

Fat cougars! I'd hate to have the "feed" bill.

And all I've got to say is that is one VERY tame cougar. VERY.

He is actually the more wild of the siblings.  He still has his moments, but it's usually all about your attitude when you go in there.  If you're calm, he's pretty calm.  However, if you're nervous and jumpy, he can be nervous and jumpy, too.

Both of them had me trained pretty well, though.  ;)

Wow.. awwwwwww... sooo cute and all alone?!?!  Can we keep him?  ;)  

Wow, what a neat video!  I'm so jealous that you get such a wonderful opportunity, but that's awesome that you work with thme on a regular basis  Makes me want to go hug a lion or some other big cat, even against my health... I wonder if insurance covers that.. hrms....

BTW... how do cougar's tongues feel?  I know lions and tigers are very rough, but it didn't look like his was that bad...

Cougar tongues are still pretty rough.

Wow, such affection

The sound effects would have been cool though.  The purr-o-meter must have been off the scale!

Quote :

BTW... how do cougar's tongues feel?  I know lions and tigers are very rough, but it didn't look like his was that bad...

My forehead was bleeding at one point, if that gives you any idea.  It's like turning a belt sander on low and running it all over your body.  But it's a good pain.    

And, yes, the purr-o-meter was way off the charts.    

--Last edited by John on 2007-09-13 09:46:22 --

Wow.  That's amazing.  Especially that the cougar let you give him a belly rub.

Yeah, I suppose this strip isn't quite as accurate as I'd originally thought.  ;)

http://sandusky.comicgenesis.com/d/20060807.html

I wouldn't quite go that far  Note that Sandusky was probably dreaming at that point and interpreted the touch as something else.  That moment when he realized "aagh, it's real" could certainly result in said strip

...kinda like how you might be dreaming you had an itch, and then suddenly realize that something is crawling on you IRL.  Moment of panic anyone?

That's exactly what my cat does - only she's not quite so big

I've heard that a lot of cats and kats are ticklish around the stomach.  I have 2 kitties - one is happy to have her tummy petted, the other not so much

Maybe it's like that with cougars, too.

The problem with giving belly rub to cougars is that cougars who are on their backs have all four paws available to grab at you. And the decision to take advantage of that can be sudden.

To me, that particular strip was VERY realistic.

Every domestic cat I have ever had around tolerates tummy scratching to a point, and then they "playfully" grab your hand with their front paws and kick with their back ones. Sometimes they even like to take a nibble or two.

*That* I'd like to see with a large cat.

Cubs will do that.

Adult...well...they are far more effective when they grab you.  And it's hard to grab your hands alone when their paws are as big as your head.  Nibbling is right out!

SW, you're making me jealous