# Florida panther (*Puma concolor coryi*) The Florida panther is a big cat that lives in the swamps and forests of Florida. With its sleek body and long tail, it is a powerful hunter and an important part of the ecosystem. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Florida cougar, Florida puma ![Florida panther](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Everglades_National_Park_Florida_Panther.jpg&width=800) Photo: National Park Service Photo by Rodney Cammauf, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Everglades_National_Park_Florida_Panther.jpg) ## Appearance The Florida panther is a tawny-brown cat with a creamy white belly, and distinctive black markings on the backs of its ears and tail tip. It has longer legs and a smaller head compared to other cougars, often with a unique cowlick of fur on its back. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Felidae - **Genus:** Puma ## Interesting facts - Baby Florida panthers are born with adorable spots that help them hide, which fade as they grow! - Each Florida panther has a unique 'cowlick' of fur on its back, like a special hair swirl! - They use their extra-long tail as a super balancing tool when chasing prey or jumping far distances. - Unlike big roaring cats, Florida panthers can purr, but they also make chirps and whistles! ## Special abilities - **Stealth Hunter:** Florida panthers can stalk silently through dense vegetation, helping them ambush unsuspecting prey with a powerful pounce. - **Night Vision:** This panther has excellent eyesight and hearing, allowing it to hunt effectively under the cover of darkness. - **Agile Climber:** Florida panthers can climb trees to rest, escape danger, or even ambush prey from above. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 180-230 cm - **Weight:** 30-70 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 65 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-4 - **Gestation:** 90-96 days ## Diet & Feeding These powerful hunters stalk and ambush deer, wild hogs, and other smaller animals like raccoons. - **Primary Foods:** White-tailed deer, Wild hog, Armadillo, Raccoon, Rabbit - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — A primary food source, providing essential nutrition for panthers. - **Hunts:** Wild hog (*Sus scrofa*) — Panthers frequently prey on these invasive animals in their habitat. - **Hunts:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — A common smaller prey item, especially when larger prey is scarce. - **Hunts:** Nine-banded armadillo (*Dasypus novemcinctus*) — Panthers will opportunistically hunt armadillos. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High If you see a panther in the wild, stay calm and keep your distance. They are wild animals and should not be approached. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Florida panther? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Florida panther? 180-230 cm ### How much does Florida panther weigh? 30-70 kg ### How long does Florida panther live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Florida panther move? 65 km/h ### What does Florida panther eat? These powerful hunters stalk and ambush deer, wild hogs, and other smaller animals like raccoons. ### Where is Florida panther usually found? Wetlands ### How does Florida panther hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Zoo Miami](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-miami) — Florida, US · Zoo - [ZooTampa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zootampa) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Naples Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naples-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Palm Beach Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palm-beach-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Everglades Alligator Farm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/everglades-alligator-farm) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Shambala Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shambala-preserve) — California, US · Zoo [View all places to see Florida panther](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/florida-panther) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Florida panther: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/florida-panther)