FLORIDA PANTHER

About Florida Panther

• Florida panthers live alone, unless a pair is mating or a female is raising cubs.
• A male can make a territory over 200-250 square miles in size.
• At birth, the kittens are born covered in dark spots. The spots help camouflage the kittens under forest debris.
• As they develop, these spot fade away. After a year, the kittens leave their mom to form their own territories.

Florida Panther Facts

• Most large cat like lion and tiger can roar really loud. But a Florida panther can't roar at all!! They purr, hiss, snarl, growl and yowl to communicate.
• Florida panthers are also very susceptible to disease, genetic disorders and car accidents.
• You can find Florida panther in the Everglades.
• Florida panther are carnivores, they eat meat like deer, wild hogs, raccoons, and even alligator.

WHY FLORIDA Panther ARE ENDANGER?

• Construction reduces available habitat important to territorial panthers.
• Florida panthers cross roads and highways and are hit by cars.
• Disease -Feline leukemia

What is being done To Help The Panther?

• Plans to save the panthers focus on 3 areas of action. First, additional habitat must be secured and enhanced. Second, programs are under way to breed panthers in captivity for later release back in the wild. Third, scientists are exploring ways to increase the genetic variability of panthers through cross-breeding with closely related subspecies.
• The National Park Service is cooperating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Department of Natural Resources, and other organizations to try to bring about recovery of the Florida panther. Efforts are centered on research, captive breeding, and public education.

SOURCES

• https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Florida-Panther.aspx
• http://bigcatrescue.org/florida-panther-facts/