Florida Panther Facts
- This majestic product of Nature and evolution most commonly goes by the informative common name of the Florida Panther. It also has other general names, though. These include such terms as Florida cougar, Florida Puma, and Coast Rican puma.
- Among scientific professionals, however, it’s better known by its formal moniker. That’s the somewhat different term of Puma concolor cougar. Regardless of the title one chooses to use, it represents a severely threatened subspecies of cougar.
- It received that unique technical name due to the efforts of the American zoologist, Outram Bangs. This researcher accomplished the first known acknowledgement of it as a separate and distinct species. That scientifically noteworthy action occurred in 1899.
- The mammal also represents the only subspecies of cougar in its part of the country it lives in. To the knowledge of wildlife experts, it only occupies about 5% of its former range. Current estimates place its total population at just over 200 individuals.
- Given this sad situation, the IUCN now lists the animal as Critically Endangered. That status is reflected on the organization’s published Red List of Threatened Species. Before protections existed, its numbers once dwindled to only 20 specimens.
- Because of its scant numbers and restricted range, it understandably faces many threats to its existence. Further habitat loss due to human expansion obviously qualifies. Like most species on earth, though, it also now faces the perils of climate change.
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Florida Panther Physical Description
The magnificent Florida Panther immediately impresses anyone fortunate enough to view one. Much like its close relatives, it does so due to a combination of factors. One’s its sheer size. Though certainly not as large as some wild felines, it’s nonetheless respectable.
Also following a pattern common to its kin, the animal shows a moderate degree of the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism. In its specific case, though, this trait manifests itself purely in terms of size. In overall appearance, however, the genders appear the same.
Regarding the sheer physical size, though, males most often attain larger growth than their female counterparts. These reach weights equaling up to a respectable 159 lb (72 kg). They also attain a known head-to-tail length that ranges from 5.9 – 7.2 ft (1.8 – 2.2 m).
Females, meanwhile, generally reach moderately shorter lengths. They also develop a somewhat more slendere body shape. This further reduces their mass in comparison with males. Females therefore reach a weight that ranges from between 64 – 100 lb (29 – 45.5 kg).
Otherwise, the sexes of the Florida Panther remain virtually indistinguishable based on patterns of color. At birth, both present a spotted pattern, and striking blue eyes. As they mature, though, the eyes change to a yellowish shade, while the spots disappear entirely.
Among mature adult specimens of the animal, the fur of the upper body takes on a deep tan hue. The underbelly of the gorgeou mammal, though, usually shows a creamy white in color. In contrast, distinctive black markings manifest on the tips of the tail and ears.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Carnivora
- Family: Felidae
- Genus: Puma
- Species: P. concolor
- Subspecies: P. c. couguar
Florida Panther Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The native range of the Florida Panther probably comes as no surprise. That’s due to the simple fact that its very name provides a clear indication of that territory. As that dictates, the animal evolved as native to the state of Florida, in the United States, in North America.
Yet even there, as mentioned previously, it only inhabits a portion of its former range. That consists of the southeastern portion of the state. Records indicate that it once appeared in either all or at least parts of at least 6 other states. It’s unknown if it ever lived beyond that.
This marvel of Nature is highly adapted to its habitat. Unfortunately, though renders it vulnerable in many ways. Its highly limited range now severely limits the simple number of locations it can potentially appear. All of these occur in the southeast portion of Florida.
There, the majestic creature lives almost exclusively in one of three types of ecosystems. These consist of regions of tropical hardwood hammocks, pinelands, or mixed freshwater swamp forests. Luckily, much of its remaining range now lies within protected areas.
Again following a pattern common to wild felines, each individual Florida Panther migrates through its territory. This mainly occurs during the day. Most specimens prefer to spend their days in the wetlands, then move to grassland in the evening. It’s also mainly nocturnal.
Given its feline ancestry, it naturally evolved as carnivorous in nature. Its prey typically consists of a variety of small animals. It will, however, attack larger prey. These typically include such species as deer or wild boar. Alligators comprise its only known natural predator.
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