Panther Habitat


Rosie the Research Dog
Rosie Rosie can help you find the answers to all your questions about panthers and where they live.

Let Rosie describe a typical day tracking panthers with her sisters!


Topics

Panthers in Trouble

Describe a Florida Panther

Panther Families

Panther Diet

Panther Habitat



Q

Where do panthers live?


Panthers live in the undeveloped lands of southwestern Florida. More

 

Q

How much land do panthers need?


Panthers need lots of land. The area where a panther hunts is its home range. Panthers space themselves so they will have enough food. If panthers live close together, soon all the deer would be gone, and they wouldn't have enough to eat. The home range of male panthers is about 520 square km. That's about 400 times as large as Disney's Magic Kingdom. The female's range is about 195 km. That's about 150 times as large as the Magic Kingdom! More, more

 

Q

Did Florida panthers ever live any place else except south Florida?


Yes, Florida panthers once lived throughout the southeastern United States. More, more

 

Q

Where are you most likely to find a panther?


Unless you are very lucky, you will probably never see a panther in the wild. Panthers usually rest during the day hidden in thickets of palmetto. At dusk they begin to travel and hunt.

Panthers prefer hardwood hammocks and pine forests with lots of saw palmettos for resting, raising kittens, and stalking prey. More

 

Q

How do you know if panthers are around?


"A cougar is like a light breeze in the country. At first you're not aware it's there. But as you slowly become more attuned, you begin to feel it on the back of your neck"-John Seidensticker

Panthers are rarely seen in the wild. But panthers leave evidence of their presence behind. Like detectives, biologists look for this evidence, which they call sign. Tracks, scrapes, scratches, scat (feces), and prey remains are all sign. More

Who has been here? (click photos for answer)

Click for answer!    Click for answer!

Play Panther Mystery games to learn more about panther sign.

 

Q

Do panthers live in trees?


Panthers do not live in trees. The only time they climb trees is to escape from dogs. Biologists use tracking dogs to help capture panthers. Biologists capture panthers to put on radiocollars and for vet care. See a panther vet exam (requires Real player).



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