Fig. 1

a “Cheese wedge” model of slope climbed by pumas. Topographical slope angle (SA) describes the steepness of the hill the puma is standing on. Path angle (PA) is the steepness of the path taken by the puma as it walks up the hill (PA ≤ SA). Traverse angle (TA) is the horizontal angle that the puma walks up the hill. The horizontal GPS distance travelled is the distance between A and C. The path distance the puma travelled, is the distance between points A and F. The elevation gain is the distance between C and F. b A schematic showing proposed travelling methods by pumas for different slopes. The yellow path is locomotion on the level ground (direct routes) and the red path is traversing inclining terrain. c Frequency of topographical slope angles encountered (green), and path angles chosen by pumas (red). Mean (solid line) shown for incline and decline for each. The dashed line is zero degrees