Florida Panthers
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Fun Factoid
Welcome to the world of Florida Panthers! Florida Panthers (Puma concolor coryi) are amazing and powerful creatures and are the largest of the two wild cats who live in Florida. The Florida Panther is actually a subspecies of Puma and is genetically identical to Mountain Lions and Cougars, which you can find in different states all over the United States! In the Wild, Florida Panthers can live up to 20 years old, grow to between 5 to 7 feet long, and also weight between 60 to 100 pounds. Florida Panthers are almost exclusively found in Southwest Florida, and there are only an estimated 200 left in the wild. They are currently Critically Endangered, but conservation efforts have brought their population up from about 20 Panthers in the 1980s.
Geography
Fun Factoid
The Florida Panthers are currently found in the South half of Florida. However, their current range is only about five percent of their original range. These Panthers used to roam across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and parts of Tennessee and South Carolina. Florida Panthers live in the pine flats, swamp forests, and palmetto fields of the Everglades, a large wetland ecosystem that makes up almost all of Southern Florida. This area is a very important habitat for the Panthers, which are protected within the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve.
What are Florida Panthers?
Florida Panthers are big cats with long bodies and tan fur. Florida Panthers have a very long tail, about the same length as their body, which they use to help balance themselves, especially when leaping on to prey. They also have very large eyes, that assist them to see in darkness since they are nocturnal (awake at night). Florida Panthers are carnivores, meaning they eat mostly meat. Panthers also have special glands on their faces and paws that they use to mark their territory. During the day, when Panthers are resting, they will typically stay in the shade of heavily forested areas.
Fun Factoid
Behavior
Florida Panthers are very solitary and territorial creatures (they like to live on their own). Once a Florida Panther is old enough to go out on its own, Male Panthers will travel long distances to find their own territory, whereas Female Panthers will not travel as far. These Panthers need so much space so that they each can hunt enough food for themselves. Florida Panthers will patrol their home ranges and mark their scents on trees to communicate with other Panthers. Florida Panthers are also very shy and tend to hide from humans, this helps them when hunting because they must be stealthy to sneak up on prey. Because Florida Panthers are nocturnal, they tend to hunt during dawn and dusk, when their prey is most active.
Fun Factoid
Diet
Fun Factoid
As Carnivores, Florida Panthers are constantly on the lookout for prey. They prey on white-tailed deer, wild hogs, racoons, birds, and even reptiles. While hunting, Panthers must be stealthy and can jump up to 15 feet to pounce on their prey to catch them quickly. Just like most Apex Predators, Florida Panthers do not tend to eat every day, and instead eat about one large meal per week. During these meals, they can eat about 20 to 30 pounds of meat at one time. Mother Panthers with cubs can eat even more. Florida Panthers are very important in the food chain and keep many other animal populations in check.
Reproduction
Florida Panthers will mate between the months of November and March, when the Male Panthers will travel and search for potential mates. While searching for mates, the Panthers will use vocalizations such as chirping, purring, and whistling to communicate. Once a Female Panther becomes pregnant, the Male and Female do not stay together. The gestation period lasts for 90 to 96 days (about three months), and then the Female will give birth to anywhere from 1 to 4 baby panthers, called cubs. Like kittens, Panther cubs are born blind and helpless, and spend about seven weeks in their den with their mother. Panther cubs are also born with blue eyes and covered in black spots to help them camouflage (blend in). Panther cubs will stay with their mother until they are about a year and a half old, then they will leave on their own.
Fun Factoid
Threats
Today, the biggest dangers to the remaining Florida Panther population is the loss of their habitats, having their territories broken up into smaller pieces, and pollution causing their homes to become unhealthy. As cities grow and more land is used for development, there is less space for the Panthers to live. This makes it harder for them to find enough food and to raise their cubs. Panthers unfortunately often get hit by cars while trying to cross highways and roads that cross through their territories. Vehicle strikes cause most Panther deaths each year. Just like the Panthers losing their habitats, their prey are also losing habitat, and with less prey the Panthers will starve.
Population
The Florida Panther population has faced both challenges and success in recent decades. Since the 1980s, the population has grown from just 30 Panthers, to now over 200. However, there is still a long way to go to make sure the Florida Oanther can continue to grow its population and guarantee long-term survival. As of 2023, the Florida Panther is categorized as Critically Endangered, meaning its population is very low, and it faces many threats. The biggest threats, vehicle strikes, overpopulation, and pollution, can cause major harm to the species. At the same time, major progress is being made in the State of Florida to help ensure the survival of the species, such as the Florida Wildlife Corridor, created to help connect separated pieces of habitat for animals so they don’t attempt to cross major roads and highways. This is a major wildlife conservation effort.
How to Help
The Florida Panthers need your help!
Here are some ways you can contribute to protecting this amazing species.
Reduce your pollution. When our trash and chemicals get into the environment, they harm the animals and plants that live there. Make sure you throw all your trash away properly, and if you see litter, pick it up! When going out in nature, leave everything the way you found it.
Spread awareness! Tell people about the amazing Florida Panther, you never know who might not know about these unique creatures. The more people who learn about them, the more people there will be to help protect this species.
Support conservation efforts! There are so many amazing organizations, just like the Florida Wildlife Corridor, that need your support. By helping organizations like them, you help to ensure the existence of creatures like the Florida Panther.
For those who live in Florida, encourage responsible land development! Promote sustainable land use and conservation to help preserve precious wildlife corridors for native animals. Without wild land, we won’t have any wild creatures. Also, pay attention to animal crossing signs! Always be a cautious driver because, unfortunately, animals sometimes must cross the road.
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