By: Jacob Locke

Florida Panther

Scientific Name: Puma Concolor coryiNatural Habitat: mainly found in southern tip

of Florida can be found all across southeastern United States

Climate: Forests, Prairies and Swampshttp://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/spec

iesProfile.action?spcode=A008

Florida Panther

Eats mainly white-tailed deerAlso eat feral hog, rabbit, raccoon, armadillo

and birdsIn some cases if livestock or pets are left

outside overnight panthers may eat them if they get the chance

Diet

Estimated around 100-160 adults in only known breeding area.

Population

23-27 Inches to the shoulder for males, females are smaller

7 feet from nose to end of tail for males, 6 feet for females

Males average 130 lbs. females 70-75 lbs.Live 10-15 years

Size of Animal

Solitary, territorial and predator-type animalTravel hundreds of miles within their home

rangeActive at night between dusk and dawnRest during heat of the dayMales have a range of 200 miles females up

to 75 milesCan leap up to 15 feet and run 35 mph for a

short distance

Behavior

Mating season: all year peak in winter/springPregnant around 90 daysLitter ranges from 1-4 kittensRarely do they all surviveHave dark spots when they are babies and

grow out of themStay with their mother for up to two yearsMales reach sexual maturity at 3 years

females at 2 years

Reproduction

Mating pairs remain together for a week hunting and sleeping together

Kittens remain in den for first 2 months while mother hunts

Then they start joining her hiding and watching

By a year old they can catch their own prey

Reproduction (Cont.)

Rest in a palmetto thicket during the day and hunt at night

Housing Requirements

Were put on the endangered list in 1967In an effort to help the endangered panther

30 to 35 juvenile and adult panthers have radio collars on to keep track of them as part of the Florida Panther Recovery Program

Endangered mainly because of habitat lossFlorida’s Government made a license plate

that says save the panther to make money for the panther

Timber cutting is resulting in panthers losing their homes

Endangered Issues

1. What is the Florida Panther’s main source of food?

2. How many kittens can be born in a litter of Florida Panthers?

3. How long do kittens remain in the den before coming out with their mother?

4. What is the range for a male Florida Panther?

5. How far can a panther jump when a

Quiz

http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/panther.php

http://www.refugenet.org/critter/panther.html http://

www.eparks.org/wildlife_protection/wildlife_facts/florida_panther.asp

http://library.thinkquest.org/3715/Animal%20Reports/floiridapanther.htm

Works Cited