Cougar (Mountain Lion) (Diorama)

Historical Note

The Cougar (Mountain Lion) diorama is located on the first floor of the Bernard Family Hall of North American Mammals. The diorama was completed in 1941 and was restored during the Hall’s renovation project in 2011-2012. The scene depicts two mountain lions resting on a rocky outcrop at Point Sublime Grand Canyon, Arizona. This location offers an ideal habitat for cougars: shade to escape the heat, rugged terrain in which to ambush prey and nooks to eat carcasses in private. The background was painted by Charles Chapman. The foreground, including the simulated rock ledge and cliff face, was created by foreground artists Raymond DeLucia and G. Frederick Mason. The taxidermists were George Adams and Gardell Christensen. (Windows on Nature, 2006)

Topics

• AMNH Dioramas