Florida panther
The panther, also known as cougar, mountain lion, puma and catamount, was once the most widely distributed mammal (other than humans) in North and South America, but it is now virtually exterminated in the eastern U.S.
One of 30 cougar subspecies, the Florida panther is tawny brown on the back and pale gray underneath, with white flecks on the head, neck and shoulder. The Florida panther has an average life span of 12 years in the wild.
Their habitat includes cypress swamps, pine, and hardwood hammock forests. Habitat loss has driven the subspecies known as the Florida panther into a small area, where the few remaining animals are highly inbred, causing such genetic flaws as heart defects and sterility.
The Florida panther is a solitary animal, and very territorial. Males establish a home range of up to 400 square miles and females about 50 to 100 square miles. Florida Panther often travel at night.
While white-tailed deer are the most common prey of Florida panthers, but they also hunt wild hogs, rabbits, raccoons, armadillos, and birds.
Panther kittens can be born at any time during the year, but most are born during the late spring. Mother panthers care for their kittens alone for about 1 to 1 1/2 years.
The Florida Panthers usually get killed by cars and trucks almost everyday.
Sadly nothing can be done to prevent them from roaming out into the public. They continue to roam because humans are trying to develop the land. Wherever the panthers have access to deer and hogs, they form new colonies. We must become more aware of them and do everything we can to help them. The Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge work with the refuge to protect and conserve one of earth's rarest animals.
Facts
- Life Span: 12 years in the wild
- Latin Name: Puma concolor coryi
- Family: Felidae (Cat)
- Related Species: Mountain lion, cougar and puma
- Estimated Population: 60-80 in the wild
- Endangered Status: On the U.S. Endangered Species List and classified as endangered in Florida
References
http://www.panthersociety.org/lair.html
http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/florida_panther.html
http://www.npca.org/wildlife_protection/wildlife_facts/florida_panther.asp
http://www.floridapanther.org/
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5960/panther.html
