Panther Facts

The scientific name for the Florida Panther is Puma concolor coryi. Florida's big cats are an endangered species and are a subspecies of the cougar. The Florida Panther is one of the rarest mammals on the planet and is sometimes called a mountain lion, puma or catamount. There are only about 100 left in the entire state.

Panther Country

Florida's panther population in now located primarily in the southern Big Cypress National Preserve. The prime habitat consists of; hardwood mannock, pine flatwoods, saw palmetto and cabbage palm thickets, cypress forests, mangrove forests and freshwater marshes. Male panthers range up to 200 miles or more, while female panthers home range is typically less than half that.

Panther Food

Panthers diet consists of White-tail deer, rodents, feral hos, raccoons, armadillos and even small alligators.

Panther Life, Living & Loving

Panthers life span is 8 - 15 years in the wild and 10 to 20 years in captivity. Male panthers reach maturity at 3 years. Females mature at 16 months and breed throughout the year - though spring is peak breeding season. Gestation is three months and a typical litter size is two kittens. Cougar kittens leave the dean at 2 months old and are fully independent at 1.5 years.

Panther Threats

Habitat loss is the primary threat to the species. Panthers are powerful, beautiful but violent creatures. Panthers often kill other panthers. Other causes of death include; collisions with vehicles and disease.