The species has a typical lifespan of from 20 years and 3 months to 33 years and 9 months, although the maximum recorded lifespan is 27 years, with a theoretical lifespan ranging from 11 years and 11 months to 23 years and 10 months. The age of sexual maturity for the species is from 2 to 4 years. Eyes open between 1 and 2 weeks of age, and the young begin walking from 2 weeks and 4 days to 4 weeks. During the “Embryo” stage, the fetus develops inside the mother. The “Kitten” stage involves a kitten with blue eyes and spots on its fur; it lives with its mother, drinks milk, and learns how to hunt. The adult stage begins when the cougar becomes an adult, hunts independently, and lives alone, lasting from 2 to 15 years.