Panthers in Trouble

Describe a Florida Panther

Panther Families

Panther Diet

Panther Habitat

What do panthers eat?

Panthers only eat meat. Animals that only eat meat are called "carnivores." Panthers eat deer, wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, and rabbits. Sometimes they eat birds and even alligators! More

Do panthers eat people?

Panthers eat deer, not people. Panthers are shy and avoid people. No panther has ever even attacked a person. More

How do they hunt?

Panthers hunt alone. Have you ever watched a house cat hunt? Panthers hunt in the same way. They stalk their prey, moving slowly and silently. If their prey seems to notice them, they freeze. When they get close enough, they run and spring, pouncing on their prey. They use their front claws to grab their prey while they use their teeth to bite the back of the neck or the throat. More

How often do they eat?

Panthers do not eat three meals a day. Panthers may only eat one deer or one hog a week. Between meals of big animals, panthers may snack on raccoons and armadillos. Panthers with kittens need to eat more and to eat more often. When panthers eat, they usually eat much more at one meal they we do. An adult panther that hasn't eaten for several days might eat 7 kg of meat at once. That's as much as the meat in 60 quarter pounders! If it is not too hot, they may cover the animal and feed on it for several days.

Deer killed two nights ago and fed on by a panther mother and her three 1-year old kittens. An adult deer lasts a panther family of this size for two feedings.