🐾 Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi)
Status: Endangered
Population: Approximately 120–230 individuals
Habitat: Southern Florida – primarily the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp
Fun Fact: A subspecies of the cougar, the Florida panther is one of the rarest large mammals in North America.
Absolutely! Here’s a more detailed version with added information and structure, great for educational or awareness purposes:
🐾 Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi)
🔴 Conservation Status:
Endangered (Listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 1967)
The Florida panther is critically endangered due to habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and genetic inbreeding caused by isolation.
📊 Population:
Estimated 120–230 individuals in the wild.
This number has improved from as low as 20–30 in the 1970s, thanks to conservation efforts, including genetic restoration through the introduction of Texas cougars in the 1990s.
🏞️ Habitat:
- Primary Regions: Southern Florida
- Key Areas: Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and nearby forests and swamps
- Preferred Terrain: Forested wetlands, upland hardwood hammocks, and pinelands
🧬 Unique Traits and Facts:
- Subspecies: A unique subspecies of the North American cougar (Puma concolor)
- Appearance: Slightly smaller than other cougars, with a kinked tail and a distinctive cowlick on the back
- Behavior: Solitary and territorial, mostly active at dawn and dusk
- Diet: White-tailed deer, wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, and other small animals
- Lifespan: About 12 years in the wild
🌟 Fun Fact:
The Florida panther is the only known breeding population of pumas in the eastern United States, making it a vital species for regional biodiversity.
🚨 Threats to Survival:
- Habitat fragmentation from roads and development
- Vehicle collisions – One of the leading causes of death
- Genetic health issues – Due to a limited gene pool
- Human encroachment and pollution
🛡️ Conservation Actions:
- Wildlife underpasses and fencing to prevent roadkill
- Land preservation and habitat restoration
- Genetic management through introduction of other cougar subspecies
- Public education and advocacy
Would you like this turned into a printable flyer or infographic? Or want similar write-ups for other endangered species?