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Puma Climbs 108 Feet for Dinner!
14 Nov
Summary
- A puma was filmed climbing 108 feet high.
- The predator stalked kinkajous in a tree.
- This is rare behavior for large cat species.
A remarkable wildlife observation has documented a wild puma ascending to extraordinary heights within a rainforest canopy, challenging established knowledge about large feline behavior. The puma was recorded by camera traps positioned unusually high in a nutmeg tree, at an elevation of 33 meters (108 feet) above the ground.
This rare footage, captured in French Guiana, shows the puma appearing to stalk kinkajous, arboreal mammals typically seeking safety in treetops. The event occurred on September 24, 2023, with the puma investigating an area previously occupied by the kinkajous. Such high-altitude climbing is infrequent for large cat species, which generally prefer ground-dwelling activities.
While the overall frequency of such interactions is low, with only this one recorded among thousands of observed events over a decade, the sighting provides significant insight. It raises questions about the true extent of large predators' reach into canopy environments and the safety of arboreal prey. The research is currently available as a preprint.
