The Florida panther is more closely related to small cats like lynx and domestic cats than to big cats like tigers or lions. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/description A simple road may divide panther habitat, resulting in fewer breeding opportunities. Among all subspecies of the cougar, the Florida panther is the least genetically diverse. Right now there are 35 to 50 Florida Panthers. T he Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is federally protected as a subspecies of Puma (Puma concolor) that once ranged throughout North America (Figures 1 and 2).Pumas are known by many names – puma, cougar, mountain lion, painter, catamount and panther. The lowest size is 43 in. Be Alert From Dusk ‘Til Dawn When it comes to personal safety, always be aware of your surroundings. A Florida panther has long legs and a long tail. With Florida panthers being separated from potential mates, they are forced to breed within a very small stock. Florida panthers once prowled and flourished in woodlands and swamps throughout the Southeast. Already in 2021, drivers have killed three Florida panthers. A Lake Wales hunter says he was attacked by a Florida panther while he was calling turkeys near Lake Kissimmee in Central Florida. Florida’s biggest cat—the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is a subspecies of the cougar.The Florida panther is the most endangered animal in North America, with a surviving population of about 150 in the wild. Florida Panther Safety Tips Encounters with Florida panthers are rare. The lowest size is 43 in. Big Cypress National Preserve Larger than Rhode Island, the Preserve is a 729,000-acre freshwater swamp ecosystem providing the largest contiguous acreage of habitat for panthers in south Florida.Its hardwood hammocks and other upland areas offer abundant denning sites for panthers and its prairies are home to deer and other prey. The big black cats are black leopards or black jaguars and are not referred to as black panthers by anyone who knows anything about big cats. Big Cats—Little Population. Florida panther – interesting facts. That means its land that should be preserved at all costs or else risk the extinction of Florida’s official state animal,” Pittman reports. The Florida panther is the only puma (also known as cougar and mountain lion) population east of the Mississippi. The biggest size and weight is about 350 lb. The greatest threat to Florida panthers is habitat loss. We all know that vehicles are the leading cause of panther deaths. But if you live, work or recreate in panther habitat, there are things you can do to enhance your safety and that of friends and family. These animals require large territories of undisturbed land with sufficient prey. is a full grown male. Figure 2.