Patagonian Pumas in snow

Patagonian Pumas in snow. During early August 2018 we went looking for the imposing and elusive patagonian subspecies of Puma, Puma concolor puma. This cat lives all across the Americas, from Alaska and Northern Canada to Southern South America, reaching as far south as the shores of the Straits of Magellan in Chilean Patagonia. It is the largest race of puma, and among American cats, second in size only to the Jaguar, Panthera onca.

Patagonian Puma (Puma concolor patagonica), Torres del Paine, Chile © Sebastian Saiter, Far South Exp

In winter the pumas leave their large footprints in the snow of the steppes and rocky outcrops as they patrol their vast territories, mostly around the eastern side of Torres del Paine range, searching for their main and biggest prey, Guanaco, Lama guanicoe who gather in large herds that roam the valleys and slopes as they graze and look for shelter during the non-breeding season. They also go for smaller food items such as Southern Grey Fox, Lycalopex griseus, European Hare, Lepus europaeus, other smaller mammals and waterfowl.

Patagonian Puma (Puma concolor patagonica), Torres del Paine, Chile © Sebastian Saiter, Far South Exp

Winter is a quiet and beautiful time of the year to watch this majestic cat and track it in the snow when few visitors come to the park, the wind stops, and the snow-clad mountains and gorgeous backdrop add to an atmosphere shrouded in a serene, crisp whitness.

It is also a season to watch some interesting behaviour of males tracking receptive females, territorial skirmishes, stalking and hunting of Guanaco, especially calves and juveniles.

Our Puma Tracking Trips in Patagonia