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Cougars are a species of animal found in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Description[]

The cougar, which is also commonly referred to as a puma or mountain lion, is the second largest cat in North America. Unlike the actual big cats, however, the cougar cannot roar. Instead, the large feline purrs like a domestic cat. They have slender bodies and are difficult to spot due to their low stance and tan color that acts as camouflage, and the fact that they are silent when running or stalking.

These solitary predators have no natural enemies and sit atop the food chain. However, they occasionally compete with other predators such as bears and wolves for food. Skinning the cougar after killing it will net the player Big Game Meat and Cougar Fangs.

Compendium[]

Cougars are native to the states of New Austin, West Elizabeth and remote forested sections of New Hanover. As carnivores, they prey on deer, elk, moose, and mountain goats. The easiest way to take down a cougar of this size is by either using a Bow with Poison Arrows or a rifle. Their fangs can be used for crafting and their meat can be used as food.[1]

Locations[]

Cougars can be found primarily in southwestern New Austin, though a notable population seems to exist within Big Valley and north of Roanoke Ridge.

Tips and Tricks[]

  • Due to its speed and ability to kill players very quickly, it is recommended to always keep weapons drawn and the Dead Eye bar filled when hunting cougars.
  • Use a Rifle or Bow and Poison Arrows to get a Perfect Cougar Pelt.
    • Additionally, Poison Arrows can be used to keep a cougar alive for long enough to study it before going for a clean kill.
  • Perfect Cougar Pelts can be sold to a trapper in order to craft the Cougar Cutaway Coat, Rustic Vest, and Cougar McClelland Saddle.
  • The Cougar Fang Trinket can be crafted at a Fence Shop with the Legendary Cougar Fang dropped by the Legendary Cougar.
  • Raising a weapon skyward and firing when a cougar is audible/nearby can lead to it revealing itself on the minimap and charging towards the player's location, allowing them to discern its location before being ambushed.
  • Cougars seem to be afraid to enter water: staying in the middle of it can give time to target them accurately.
  • If players need to study cougars, they can hit cougars in the back of their torso with a Poison Throwing Knife or a Poison Arrow. This way they can stop their attacks and break down on the ground. Once on the ground the player can study them easily and finish them off with their knife.

Challenges[]

  • The 6th Master Hunter Challenge requires the player to kill five cougars with a Bow and skin them. For more information on how to achieve this, see the relevant entry in the Master Hunter Challenges page for Red Dead Redemption 2.

Trivia[]

  • Like with the Cat, Coyote, Fox and Wolf, Cougars' tapetum lucidum (eyeshine) shows at night - a feature that wasn't in the original Red Dead Redemption.
  • Unlike the first game, Cougars can be leucistic (white-skinned but not albino) when encountered in the wild - not only rarely but also the only non-legendary animal to be this way.
  • The side-mission "He's British, of Course" features a cougar painted to resemble a tiger.

Gallery[]

Achievements/Trophies[]

The player must kill a Cougar to contribute to the successful completion of the trophy/achievement:

SkinDeep
30 gamerscoregamerscore
Bronze bronzebronze
Skin every species of animal in Story Mode.
Zooloogist
ZOOLOGIST
20 gamerscoregamerscore
Bronze bronzebronze
Study every animal across all states in Story Mode.


References []

  1. In-game compendium

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