Florida Panther Habitat

These habitats are for the protection of the florida panther.

Florida panther habitat. The florida panther national wildlife refuge provides habitat for over 120 species of birds about 60 of which are year round residents. Like other species of wild cats the florida panther is a carnivore. Generally florida panthers live in forested areas. In south florida it lives in pinelands tropical hardwood hammocks and mixed freshwater swamp forests.

The florida panther is the only puma also known as cougar and mountain lion population east of the mississippi. When european settlers arrived in the 1600s the clear cutting building and other human activities that destroy degrade and fragment habitat began and the fear and misconceptions that. Florida panther member of a population of large new world cats of the species puma concolor family felidae confined to a small isolated and inbred group in southern florida and protected by the u s. Males can weigh up to 73 kg 161 lb and live within a range that includes the big cypress national preserve everglades national park the florida panther national wildlife refuge picayune strand state forest rural.

The florida panther is a north american cougar p. The historic range of the florida panther extended from florida to louisiana throughout the gulf coast states and arkansas. Florida panthers are the only breeding group of pumas in the eastern united states. Notable residents include the eastern meadowlark american kestrel blue gray gnatcatcher northern bobwhite and wood stork.

The florida panther has long had to deal with disease car accidents genetic disorders extreme heat hurricanes and even predators before cubs are old enough to open their eyes. Land use planning that takes into account the habitat requirements of florida panthers continues to be a challenge for recovery. Florida panthers utilize a diversity of warm climate habitat living in wetlands swamps upland forests and stands of saw palmetto. Florida panthers once prowled and flourished in woodlands and swamps throughout the southeast.

The florida panther is an opportunistic hunter and will eat both small and large animals. The florida panther is one of the rarest species in north america and is now just in 5 of its historic habitat which is all concentrated in south florida. Conservation challenges potential panther habitat throughout the southeast continues to be affected by urbanization residential development road construction conversion to agriculture and mining. Scientists say that the panther cannot afford to lose even a single additional acre.

Hares and mice are as much a part of this cat s diet as pigs. Endangered species act 1973. The florida panther is one of the rarest species in north america and is now just in 5 of its historic habitat which is all concentrated in south florida.