Step 3
- Natural selection is when organisms are adapted to their environments in order for the species to survive, Natural selection is commonly linked to survival of the fittest. Other forms of evolution include divergent, convergent, and coevolution. Cougars went through a divergent evolution. They evolved from Saber-tooth tigers (who lived in the ice age era). Saber-tooth’s possessed large canines but over the years the canines decreased in size making them how they currently are. This change was due to the fact that prey got smaller, which is an example of coevolution. Divergent evolution continues when the feline species had a schism. The trait that continues to be similar in felines is their predatory abilities. This involves their front feet and claws that are used to hunt their prey. A cougar's teeth have adapted to easily slicing the meat of an animal and to hold onto prey when hunting them.
- Due to the competitive environment in which the Cougar lived, its predatory abilities had to changes along with the environment. One of them being their hunting style. Cougars and wolves competed for migrating elk and often crossed each other’s path. This caused Cougars to learn how to stalk its prey to higher elevations. Another evolutionary change due to the environment would be dietary shift. The competition between the cougars and wolves led both species into being able to hunt other prey. This is fairly easy for carnivores to do. With their prey being large and fast, cougars had a physical adaptation with their hind legs being stronger than their fore legs. This gives them the ability and strength for sprinting and leaping. Their large claws were an adaptation to catching large prey.
- The cougar went through directional selection when they were killed by humans.