What did cougars evolve from?

Cougars, also known as pumas or mountain lions, evolved from a lineage of felids that originated in the Americas. They are believed to have diverged from the common ancestor of modern cats around 8 to 12 million years ago. Their closest relatives are other members of the genus Puma, with the most recent common ancestor shared with domestic cats occurring approximately 6 to 10 million years ago. This evolutionary path has allowed cougars to adapt to a variety of habitats across North and South America.