Florida PantherColton Bright & Tanner Lindsey

About the Florida Panther They prowl in the woodlands and swamps

throughout the southeast. A male panthers home range averages

275 square miles. They can travel up to 15 to 20 miles a day. They move in a zig zag pattern. Travel and hunt during the cool hours of

the night. They can live up to 12 to 15 years in the

wild.

Why is it endangered We are the big reason why Florida

Panthers are endangered. They are killed by cars and trucks. Hunters still shoot Panthers reguraly. Their health and habitat also

contribute to being endangered.

How are they protected Their habitat is secured and

enhanced. Programs are underway to breed

panthers in captivity for later release back in the wild.

Scientists are exploring ways to increase the genetic variability of panthers through cross breeding with closely related subspecies.

What kind of hunter An efficient hunter. Their 150 pounds and can measure

up to 7 feet long. They are built to hunt live prey, such

as deer and wild hogs. If these aren’t available they will also

eat racoons armadillos and even alligators.

They can run up to 35 mph but for only a few hundred yards.

What they look like They are a very beautiful and elegant

animal. They’re brownish with white bellies. They are very closely related to a

cougar.