Florida Panther

Florida State Animal

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Florida panther
Florida panther; Puma concolor coryi. Photo by Rodney Cammauf. (Public Domain Image).

Official State Animal of Florida

In 1982 the students of Florida elected the magnificent Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) as the official state animal of Florida. All State Mammals

Florida panthers were persecuted to near-extinction out of fear and misunderstanding (folklore refers to them as "catamounts"). The Florida panther was listed on the federal endangered species list in1967, and on the state of Florida's endangered list in 1973.

A large predator that can grow to more than 6 feet in length, Florida panthers play an important role in the ecosystem. Although hunting is now illegal, loss of natural habitat means preservation of this unique animal will depend on strict management and public support.

Florida

Images

Florida panther kitten; Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park  Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife/Flickr (use permitted with attribution/no derivative works).

Florida panther kitten

Magnificent Florida panther; endangered  Photo by Dan Bodenstein/Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution/no derivative works).

Endangered Florida panther

Videos

Florida Panther 01