Casting my mind back, it would be about 10 years ago now. It was on a trip to Whistler that I first became exposed to the ‘cougar’ phenomenon.

Now, if you ask me, real cougars are found in ski resorts. They have plenty of cash. They wear outfits too tight and they must have at least one piece of animal print on.

The Whistler Cougar has a Descente or Chanel one piece ski suit. Usually white, with a fur lined hood. They ski a few hours late in the morning before lunching. Then retiring to beside the pool. They have an afternoon cat nap to ensure they are ready for the hectic evening ahead. When the sun goes down, they spring to action. Normally seen in Cinnamon Bear. Or a few other salubrious night spots.

Over the last ten years, the term cougar has slowly made its way into the vernacular. And in doing so, has lost a lot of its character. These days the term gets bantered around with gay abandon. It seems to have become the catch cry for any woman who dates a younger man. Not so.

There are varying descriptions for a cougar. But for you to be a cougar in my books, you need to be close to, if not over the age of 40. It helps if you have been married but are now single. This is not imperative. You need to have a penchant for younger men. They should ideally be at a minimum 10 years your junior. Maybe as much as 20. You should like to dress up and go out dancing. Perhaps you have a few animal print numbers you like to roll out. You should be cashed up and happy to spend. Lots of expensive bling is another key performance indicator. You are also keen to get action. Often.

Now, there has been a development recently that allows for sub-groups. These I find humorous more than anything really. They have come about as pop culture has embraced the cougar term. The younger cougar, generally in her mid to late 30’s is the Puma. She is a smaller cat than the cougar. She has yet to develop the tell-tale cougar attributes. The botox and collagen has not become extensive. She doesn’t wear as much makeup nor clothing as tight. She likes her men really young, in their early 20’s.

Or, at the other end of the scale, you have the sabre-tooth. She was a cougar but has become long in the tooth. The surgery excursions have become more frequent and far more pronounced. On the plus side they generally have a lot of cash to spend and like to use this to boost their self-esteem.

All these claims that women who date a guy slightly younger than them are cougars is wrong. I feel sorry for all the real cougars out there who have been trawling The Piano Bar in Thredbo for years. Their hard earned title is being stolen by the wider community. Stolen by girls in their 20’s who happen to have a boyfriend who is a year younger than them. It’s just not right.

Now, what of the male equivalent I hear you ask?

Well, he quite simply is the Rhino.