Mountain Lion (cougar)

Cougar babies look and act like kittens, but they are called cubs. Of course, they belong to the cat family.

Baby cougars are bigger than kittens. They weigh about a pound when they are born. They are born covered with fur and, like kittens, they are blind.
Cougars have from one to five cubs at one time.

Young cougars are about two years old before they have enough hunting skills to catch their own food. Adult cougars care for them until they are able to live on their own.

Although cougar cubs are cute and cuddly-looking, they are dangerous and should never be approached in the wild. The young cubs will scratch and bite in self defense, and their mothers will attack anyone approaching their young.

When Lewis and Clark crossed America, cougars could be found nearly anywhere. Today, they are found mostly in the western United States and western Canada. Idaho is the home of many cougars.

An adult cougar may be five feet long or longer, not including its tail, which is two to three feet long. A full-grown cougar can weigh about 200 pounds.
Cougars are called by different names in different areas of the country. Other names are mountain lion, catamount, panther, and puma.

Cougars hunt at night, often traveling long distances. Mainly they kill deer and elk, and sometimes a bighorn sheep. They seldom kill calves, sheep, or other livestock.

Cougars keep hidden while stalking their prey, then leap out onto the animal. They are important to nature because they weed out weak, sick, and old prey.

Size: 5 x 7 canvas (not framed)
This item sells for $50.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

King of the Wild

The lion holds a variety of energies and is never what it appears to be. Their is great myth and lore surrounding the lion. The Egyptians linked it to power and wealth. When Moses took the Israelites out of Egypt, each tribe was gathered under it own banner, a lion was depicted on one of them. Today we associate the lion with fearlessness. Its mighty roar, proud stature and real presence ear it title of King of the Cats.

Unlike other cats the lion lives in groups called prides. They seldom fight amongst each other. The exception to this rule is related to the female. The male lion is passionate and extremely jealous of the lionesses. If challenged will act aggressively. The lion teaches those with this totem how to respect one another’s view point and to live in harmony with one another. When a lion appears in your life its time to let go of deep seated anger towards a person, a situation or towards self. The lion is a large cat with a ferocious reputation but its true disposition is one of calm clarity.

Lions do not fight for the sake of fighting. They avoid confrontation and will leave the scene of danger whenever possible. They show those with this totem how to move out of unpleasant situations gracefully and efficiently.

Maybe more of us should pursue the ways of the lion in our daily lives to improve stability in this world.

I thought I would try something different by adding various color tones and hues on this painting. I wanted to show the Majestic Lyon with true colors that make a statement. Hope you like him. This lion has been hand painted on a wooden plaque that measures 5 x 7 1/2 and would be a nice gift for someone who loves the African Wild Life. This art piece is $25.00.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com