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8 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT

THE FLORIDA PANTHER

1. FLORIDA LOVES ITS PANTHERS. In 1982 students 5. THEY AVOID HUMANS. When a human approaches,
in Florida chose the panther as the“state animal.” Florida panthers will be still, hide or try to circle behind.
Tens of thousands of Floridians have paid for In the rare chance that you do encounter them, try to
a specialty “Protect the Panther” Florida license make yourself large – do not cower – and remain still.
plate whose proceeds pay for panther research.
6. THEY’RE BIGGER – AND LIVE LONGER – THAN YOU
2. THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT 200+ OF THEM. Although MIGHT THINK. Florida panthers can live over 20 years
its numbers have rebounded from the days when in the wild. Males can measure nearly 7 feet from nose
there were only 20, the population of panthers is still to tail and weigh between 100 to 160 lbs. Females are
just over 200. Even at the best estimates, the Florida about 6 feet in length and weigh between 50 to 115 lbs.
panther is one of the rarest and most endangered
mammals in the U.S., and is protected under both 7. THERE IS A FLORIDA PANTHER NATIONAL
the Endangered Species Act and Florida law. WILDLIFE REFUGE. Located 20 miles east of Naples,
the mission of the Panther Refuge is to conserve and
3. THEY NEED A LOT OF ROOM. The Florida panther’s manage lands and waters primarily for the Florida
historic territory used to be the entire Southeast U.S., panther and provide habitat for numerous endangered
but now they are confined to America’s Everglades and and threatened species of birds, plants, mammals,
surrounding areas of southwest Florida. Male adults and a wide variety of fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
may range from 168 to 277 square miles, overlapping
the smaller, 75 to 153 square mile ranges of females. 8. HUMANS ARE THE FLORIDA PANTHER’S
GREATEST THREAT. Florida panthers are killed
4. THEY ARE FAST AND EFFICIENT HUNTERS. Florida by cars and trucks, particularly on State Road 29
panthers’ method of hunting is to creep up as close to and along “Alligator Alley,” I-75. Although illegal,
their prey as possible and launch a short spring ambush some hunters still shoot panthers occasionally. Most
– at speeds up to 35 mph for a few hundred yards! Deer seriously, Florida panthers are threatened by habitat
and wild hogs are their preferred food, but panthers will loss.
eat raccoons, rabbits, rodents, opossums, and birds.

For nearly 30 years, The Everglades Foundation has been working to restore and protect
the Everglades through science, advocacy, and education.

Follow us on social media or contact Nikkie Dvorchak, Director of Development & Events,
Southwest Florida at ndvorchak@EvergladesFoundation.org or (239) 206-1685

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Photo © Mac Stone
Life in Naples | May, June, July 2022 23