OBJECTIVE FORESTRY

Detailed explanation-1: -The description “predators that often eat weakened or diseased animals” describe a cougar’s role and how it obtains its nutrition, therefore this is a description of the niche of cougars.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cougar meanings and symbolism include protection, agility, adaptability, secrecy, beauty, and wealth. The cougar (also referred to as a mountain lion, puma, or panther) is native to the Americas, with a range that spans from the Yukon in Canada all the way to Tierra del Fuego in Argentina.

Detailed explanation-3: -Predators have profound effects throughout their ecosystems. Dispersing rich nutrients and seeds from foraging, they influence the structure of ecosystems. And, by controlling the distribution, abundance, and diversity of their prey, they regulate lower species in the food chain, an effect known as trophic cascades.

Detailed explanation-4: -This animal is identified by its large size, cat-like appearance, uniformly gray to reddish-tan body color, and long tail-nearly three feet (1 m) long and a third of its total length. The muzzle and chest are white and there are black markings on the face, ears and tip of the tail.