The term 'American Cougar' is a collective name for two large cats native to the Americas: the PUMA (also known as the Mountain Lion or Cougar) and the PANTHER. The PUMA is a large cat with a tawny coat, black-tipped tail, and white chest and belly. It is found in North, Central, and South America. The PANTHER is a large, black-coated cat found in the southeastern United States. Both cats are apex predators and play an important role in their respective ecosystems.