Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.”  Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots.  She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.

Admit it--I know you’re swooning.  Cute baby cougar cubs seemingly calm, collected, and cuddly.

Oh, not for long.

These adorable little infants can grow up to 110 pounds and can take down a deer.

It’s a romantic day-date your cougar, wife, or girlfriend will surely appreciate. Treat your honey to an exotic escape at the Wildlife World Zoo, and you’re bound to score major brownie points.

Instead of taking you on the scene, we’re bringing you behind the scenes at the Zoo.  And instead of showing you the big guys, we’re checking out the bottle-feeding babies on display at the Zoo’s Nursery.

“These cougars are making a rare stop at the Zoo,” said Dr. Grey Stafford, Wildlife World Zoo’s Director of Conservation.  (www.wildlifeworld.com)

Dr. Grey Stafford gets to pamper these pumas (otherwise known as cougars and mountain lions) anytime he pleases, and he’s giving us a unique introduction to brother and sister, Tazsha and Peezska.

While you may be tempted to bring these babies home, beware—they’re no housecats.  These nearly two-month-old little guys arrived to the Valley via Wisconsin, and are only on display through Easter 2011.

“The zoo in Wisconsin knew we had a great hand-raising team, so we will care for them and then will get them on their way,” said Dr. Stafford.

They don’t growl like a lion, rather prrrrrrrrr like a kitty, and spend their day blissfully playing or sleeping.

Pumas are born with spots, but as they age, they lose their marks.  And get this—these guys are actually acrobats at heart.  Dr. Stafford says cougars can jump, climb trees, and run up to 40 miles an hour in a short burst.

They’re also a native Arizona animal.

“Mountain lions are found in North, South, and Central America.  They’re extinct in the eastern half of the United States, but frequent areas in the west.”

He says if you happen to stumble upon a puma in the wild, you’ll want to make yourself look big and dominant.  However, refrain from antagonizing these kitty-cats.