TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Puma
Species: Puma concolor
Subspecies: P. c. coryi
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Adult Male Measurements:
- Length: 1.8-2.1 m (6-7 ft) including tail
- Tail length: 60-70 cm (24-28 in)
- Shoulder height: 60 cm (24 in)
- Weight: 45-73 kg (100-160 lbs)
Adult Female Measurements:
- Length: 1.8-2.1 m (6-7 ft) including tail
- Weight: 29-45 kg (64-100 lbs)
Distinguishing Physical Features:
- Coat color: Tawny brown to reddish-brown
- Distinctive cowlick in center of back (unique to Florida subspecies)
- Crooked tail with characteristic kink near the end
- White flecking on head, neck, and shoulders
- Darker fur along midline of back
- Lighter colored or white chest, throat, and underside
HABITAT SPECIFICATIONS
Geographic Range: Southern Florida, primarily below Lake Okeechobee
Current Range: Approximately 5% of historic range
Preferred Habitat Types: Pinelands, hardwood hammocks, mixed swamp forests, cypress swamps
Territory Size:
- Males: 450-775 km² (175-300 sq mi)
- Females: 155-310 km² (60-120 sq mi)
DIETARY SPECIFICATIONS
Classification: Obligate carnivore
Primary Prey (90% of diet): White-tailed deer
Secondary Prey: Wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, rabbits
Occasional Prey: Small alligators, birds, livestock (rare)
Daily Food Requirement: 2.3-4.5 kg (5-10 lbs) of meat
Feeding Frequency: One deer can sustain panther for 7-10 days
BEHAVIORAL SPECIFICATIONS
Activity Pattern: Crepuscular to nocturnal (most active dawn and dusk)
Social Structure: Solitary except during mating or female with cubs
Hunting Method: Ambush predator with short-distance sprint capability
Maximum Speed: 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts
Communication: Vocalizations include chirps, whistles, growls, hisses, purrs (cannot roar)
Territorial Marking: Scrapes, urine marking, scat deposits
REPRODUCTION SPECIFICATIONS
Sexual Maturity:
- Females: 18-24 months
- Males: 24-36 months
Mating Season: Year-round, with peak November-March
Gestation Period: 90-96 days (approximately 3 months)
Litter Size: 1-4 kittens (average 2-3)
Birth Weight: 200-450 g (7-16 oz)
Weaning Age: 2-3 months
Independence: 12-24 months
Maternal Care Duration: Up to 2 years
Breeding Interval: Females breed every 18-24 months if cubs survive
Kitten Specifications:
- Born with spotted coat and blue eyes
- Eyes open at 11-14 days
- Spots fade by 6 months
- Adult coloration by 12 months
LIFESPAN SPECIFICATIONS
Wild Lifespan: 8-12 years average
Maximum Recorded (Wild): 12-15 years
Captive Lifespan: Up to 20 years
CONSERVATION SPECIFICATIONS
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered (subspecies)
ESA Status: Endangered (listed 1967)
State Status: Endangered (Florida)
Population Data:
- Historic population: Unknown, likely several thousand
- 1970s population: <20 individuals
- Current population: 120-230 individuals (2023 estimate)
- Recovery goal: 240 adults for downlisting consideration
Primary Threats:
- Vehicle collisions (leading cause of mortality, 50%+ of deaths)
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Genetic issues from historic bottleneck
- Mercury contamination
- Territorial conflicts
Genetic Health Issues (from bottleneck):
- Low genetic diversity
- Congenital heart defects (affecting ~90% of males)
- Cryptorchidism (undescended testicles)
- Poor sperm quality
- Kinked tails and cowlicks (now fixed traits)
ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
Home Range Overlap: Male territories overlap 1-3 female territories
Dispersal Distance: Young males may travel 80-160+ km to establish territory
Climbing Ability: Excellent; regularly uses trees for resting and caching prey
Swimming Ability: Strong swimmers, regularly traverse waterways
Sensory Capabilities: Exceptional vision (6x better than humans in low light), acute hearing
State Designation: Official State Animal of Florida (1982)
Note: All measurements and population estimates are approximate and subject to ongoing research and monitoring by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
