A creamy beige and gray subspecies of the puma, the Puma concolor coryi, or Florida Panther, once ranged as far west as Arkansas and as far north as South Carolina, but development and hunting have reduced the species' habitat largely to southern Florida. Estimates are than fewer than 100 remain in the wild.
The habitat of the Florida panther for the most part lies only south of the Caloosahatchee River in southern Florida. Female panthers stay south of the river, although males have a wider range and will sometimes venture farther north, sometimes into the northeastern part of the state.
Male panthers grow to about 2 feet tall at the shoulders, while females are a bit smaller. Females can grow up to 6 feet long and males can reach 7 feet. Males weigh about 130 lbs. on average; females weigh in at just under 80 lbs.
Panthers lives about 10 to 15 years in the wild. Although Florida law prohibits the hunting of Florida panthers, panthers that venture into developed areas often die from getting hit by cars.
Panthers mate all year long, but more so in the winter and spring seasons. Gestation lasts 90 days and a litter includes up to four kittens, although rarely does a full litter survive. The surviving kittens will stay with the mother for two years. Kittens are born with dark spots that fade by maturity.
Panthers eat white-tailed deer. They will often bury their kill and return to feast later.
