|
Florida Panther (Felis concolor coryi)
The Florida panther is Florida's state animal. It is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. Less than 50 panthers remain in the wild. Adult panthers are tan-colored above and white below. Young kittens have black spots, which help to camouflage them. Adult male panthers can grow to 87-inches long and weigh 160-pounds and females can grow to 74-inches long and weigh 100-pounds. Florida panthers are carnivores (they eat only meat). They prey mostly on white-tailed deer, wild hog, raccoon and armadillo. The Florida panther makes its home in cypress swamps, pinelands and hardwood hammocks. The greatest threat to the panther is loss of habitat. Collisions with cars and illegal shootings are other threats. Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Florida Panther Net for more panther facts and activities.
|
|||||||
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Coastal Geology |
Go to the Florida panther Coloring Page
Next: Fiddler Crab
Back to Critters Main Page