diet   

do panthers eat... deer Deer? yesno
blackberries Berries? yesno
people People? yesno
fish Fish? yesno
     Panthers are strictly carnivores: they only eat meat. About 90 % of their diet is feral hog, white-tailed deer, raccoon, and armadillo. Occasionally they consume rabbits, rats, and birds, and on rare occasion alligators. Although cattle are abundant on private ranches within the panther's range, they are rarely consumed by panthers (Maehr et al. 1990). Two of their food items,
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feral hogs and armadillos, are not native to North America. Hogs are descendants of escaped hogs brought to Florida by the Spanish, and armadillos are originally from South America. Where hogs are abundant, some panthers will prey almost exclusively on them (Land 1994a). Hogs are smaller than deer, but they are easier to catch.

    Hundreds of wild hogs were released in Big Cypress between 1961 and 1977 for humans to hunt. Today wild hogs are most abundant on the drier private lands to the north of Big Cypress National Preserve. Deer are more widely distributed than hogs and are thus the panther's most consistent food item (Land 1994a).

     Panthers feeding on large prey are heavier and healthier than those that feed on small prey. A panther has to kill and eat about 10 raccoons to equal the food value of 1 deer. To maintain their health and fitness, adult panthers need to consume 1 deer or hog per week. Females with kittens may need twice this amount. Juvenile kittens, like teenagers, need more food than younger kittens.

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