Last Remaining Puma Type in Eastern US
Clay Teixeira
Bio 227 Spring 2015
Species: Puma (=Felis) Concolor Coryi
Ecology of Species and Threats to Existence
The Florida Panthers is "tawny brown on the back and pale grey underneath" (Defenders). The males reach around 23-27 inches tall at the shoulder while being seven feet long from nose to tip of tail. they weigh around 130 pounds while living between 10 and 15 years (Defenders). These animals are wide ranging, very secretive, and occur at low levels. These characteristics lead to the necessity of large contiguous areas so that the panthers are able to participate in their social, reproductive, and energetic needs. The areas they decide to reside in are directly correlated to three limiting factors. These include habitat availability, prey availability and lack of human tolerance. The main threats to their livelihood include habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. These threats are a result of urbanization, mining, mineral exploitation, and lack of land planning that recognizes a panther’s needs.
Geographical And Population Changes
The area that the had panthers historically existed in has decreased by 95%. This leaves a mere 5% and only one breeding population exists within in it. This breeding population resides on the southern tip of Florida, south of the Caloosahatchee River. The population has increased from roughly 12-20 in the early ‘70s to around 100-120 in 2007 (Recovery Plan). Although the species is making a comeback, it is constantly threatened by an ever increasing human population and development in the panther’s habitat. Due to male Panthers ranging of 200 square miles (defenders), the mortality due to collisions with motor vehicles is also a threatening factor to the expansion of their habitat.
Bio 227 Spring 2015
Species: Puma (=Felis) Concolor Coryi
Ecology of Species and Threats to Existence
The Florida Panthers is "tawny brown on the back and pale grey underneath" (Defenders). The males reach around 23-27 inches tall at the shoulder while being seven feet long from nose to tip of tail. they weigh around 130 pounds while living between 10 and 15 years (Defenders). These animals are wide ranging, very secretive, and occur at low levels. These characteristics lead to the necessity of large contiguous areas so that the panthers are able to participate in their social, reproductive, and energetic needs. The areas they decide to reside in are directly correlated to three limiting factors. These include habitat availability, prey availability and lack of human tolerance. The main threats to their livelihood include habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. These threats are a result of urbanization, mining, mineral exploitation, and lack of land planning that recognizes a panther’s needs.
Geographical And Population Changes
The area that the had panthers historically existed in has decreased by 95%. This leaves a mere 5% and only one breeding population exists within in it. This breeding population resides on the southern tip of Florida, south of the Caloosahatchee River. The population has increased from roughly 12-20 in the early ‘70s to around 100-120 in 2007 (Recovery Plan). Although the species is making a comeback, it is constantly threatened by an ever increasing human population and development in the panther’s habitat. Due to male Panthers ranging of 200 square miles (defenders), the mortality due to collisions with motor vehicles is also a threatening factor to the expansion of their habitat.
Reason for
Listing and Listing Type/Date
Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 the Florida Panther was federally listed as an endangered species, as well as being on the state endangered species list in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. This is because the Florida Panther is the last remaining subspecies of Puma that is surviving in the Eastern US. Its scientific name is Puma (=FELIS) concolor coryi and the plan was last revised on December 12, 2008. The Panther population is being treated under the Third Revision of the Florida Panther Recovery Plan and has made progress in trying remove the Florida Panthers from the endangered list and placed on the threatened list. The panther has a recovery priority number of 6c. The highest priority is 1c and the lowest is 18 (The Florida Panther).
Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 the Florida Panther was federally listed as an endangered species, as well as being on the state endangered species list in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. This is because the Florida Panther is the last remaining subspecies of Puma that is surviving in the Eastern US. Its scientific name is Puma (=FELIS) concolor coryi and the plan was last revised on December 12, 2008. The Panther population is being treated under the Third Revision of the Florida Panther Recovery Plan and has made progress in trying remove the Florida Panthers from the endangered list and placed on the threatened list. The panther has a recovery priority number of 6c. The highest priority is 1c and the lowest is 18 (The Florida Panther).
Recovery Plan Description
Maintaining, restoring, and expanding the Florida Panther population is the main goal of its recovery plan. The wish to achieve another goal of two additional breeding population within the historic ranges but not confided to south Florida. The panther is dependent upon a certain quantity and quality of habitat for survival. Since the range required to expand the panther population is so large, the panther serves as an umbrella species. In order to protect the panthers, they must protect a vast, wild territory that includes many other animals and plants that reside within its boundaries. The Florida Panther is at the top of the food chain and therefore help to keep the prey populations balanced and in check. (defenders)
Maintaining, restoring, and expanding the Florida Panther population is the main goal of its recovery plan. The wish to achieve another goal of two additional breeding population within the historic ranges but not confided to south Florida. The panther is dependent upon a certain quantity and quality of habitat for survival. Since the range required to expand the panther population is so large, the panther serves as an umbrella species. In order to protect the panthers, they must protect a vast, wild territory that includes many other animals and plants that reside within its boundaries. The Florida Panther is at the top of the food chain and therefore help to keep the prey populations balanced and in check. (defenders)
Works Cited
"Basic Facts About Florida Panthers." Defenders of Wildlife. N.p., 21 Mar. 2012. Web. 04 June 2015.
http://www.defenders.org/florida-panther/basic-facts
The Florida Panther. Florida: Florida Power & Light, 1992. US Fish and Wildlife Services, 8 Dec. 2008. Web. 3 June 2015.
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/081218.pdf
Google Images of Panther and Habitat
http://blog.audubonguides.com/files/2012/02/FL-panther.jpg
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