What is a Florida panther?
The Florida panther is the larger of two wild cats in Florida (the smaller is the bobcat). The scientific name for the Florida panther is Puma concolor coryi. The Florida panther is a subspecies of puma, also known as mountain lion, cougar, or catamount. Q. What cat is a Florida panther’s closest relative? All puma subspecies (including the Florida panther) are most closely related to the cheetah and jaguarundi (a weasel-like cat found in Central and South America) based on genetic analysis. Q. Are other subspecies of puma endangered like the Florida panther? Only the Florida panther and Eastern cougar subspecies are considered critically endangered, although the Eastern cougar is highly suspected to be extinct. The other subspecies of puma are categorized as “near threatened.” Q. What does a Florida panther look like? The Florida panther is always a tan color. The tawny color is richer on the back and lighter on the belly. The adult Florida panther has amber-colored eyes and a long, b
