(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - PANTHER, FLORIDA

OTHER COMMON NAMES - PANTHER, FLORIDA;CATAMOUNT;COUGAR;LION and MOUNTAIN;PAINTER;PANTHER;PUMA

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Mammals

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAMMALIA,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - CARNIVORA,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - FELIDAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - FELIS,

SPECIES AND SSP - CONCOLOR, CORYI

SCIENTIFIC NAME - FELIS CONCOLOR CORYI

AUTHORITY -

TAXONOMY REFERENCES -

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Florida Panther

Felis concolor coryi Bangs, 1899

KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Mammal

PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Carnivora FAMILY: Felidae

The Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi Bangs) is a medium
sized, dark subspecies with short and rather stiff pelage. It has
relatively long limbs and small feet in comparison with other
subspecies (01,02). Although there is a great deal of variation in
color, the pelage is usually tawny brown, darkest along the middle of
the back and becoming lighter or clay-colored along the sides, with
short black-tipped hairs. The face is very dark, but upper lips, chin
and throat are white. The back of the ears and sides of the nose are
dark brown or blackish. Guard hairs on the inner sides of limbs and
belly are white, but mixed with light reddish under fur, giving the
appearance of gray fur. This becomes whiter toward the median ventral
line. The tail is often very dark dorsally, ending in a black tip
(01,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10,11,12).
The most distinctive feature of the skull is the fairly broad,
flat frontal region with shortened rostrum and correspondingly
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

expanded and inflated, or highly arched nasals. The outer margins of
the nasals may overlap the maxilla and frontal bones. This gives the
animal the appearance of having a very prominent nose (03,04,12). In
addition to the general appearance of the skull and pelage coloration,
there are 3 distinct physical features which aid in positive
identification of the Florida panther in most cases (04). These
traits are: 1) The tail has a right angle bend in the last vertebra,
giving it a crook at the end of the appendage; 2) There is a whorl or
cowlick in the middle of the back; 3) There is irregular white
flicking on the head, neck and shoulders (02,04). Data obtained in a
study of 480 F. concolor museum skins; 24 being F.c. coryi specimens,
including type specimens F.c. floridana Cary 1896 (12,13), F.c. coryi
Bangs 1899 (01,12) and F.c. arundivaga Hollister 1911 (12,14); and 7
live captured Florida panthers examined during capture and radio
tagging operations (04) suggests that these characteristics are
carried in the gene pool of the species at a low frequency, but are
expressed in a high frequency in the Florida subspecies. This is
probably due to isolation. These characteristics occur randomly in
other subspecies, but in F.c. coryi in a combination of all 3 (04).
A mature male weighs 100-148 lbs., is 7 ft. from nose to tip of
tail and has a shoulder height of 24-28 in. The female is somewhat
smaller weighing 60-100 lbs. and measures about 6 ft. from tip to tip
(02,42).
Panther kittens weigh from 6.63 to 7.73 lbs., are yellowish-brown
with dark brown or blackish bands around the tail until they are
around 6 months of age. They also have blue eyes (05,15).
Common name synonyms are cougar, painter, mountain lion, puma,
panther and catamount (02,06).
The Florida panther was first described as a separate geographic
race of F. concolor by Charles Cory in 1896. He assigned it the name
F.c. floridana. Bangs in 1899 pointed out this name was not correct
because F. floridana had previously been used for a bobcat. He also
believed the Florida panther had been restricted to peninsular Florida
and could no longer integrade with any other form and doubted if it
ever had. He gave it full specific rank with the name F. coryi (12).
Nelson and Goldman (1929) (12,16) revised the taxonomic
classifications of the Felis concolor group and assigned the Florida
panther subspecific status with the designation F.c. coryi Bangs.
This designation included F. arundivaga which was designated by
Hollister (1911) from specimens collected in Louisiana (12,14). The
most recent taxonomic review of the species is given by Goldman (1946)
(03,12).
There are a variety of places which are useful references for
species identification. They are as follows: 1) Field Museum of Nat.
History, Roosevelt Rd., Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605. 312-922-
9410. 1 type specimen of F.c. floridana Cory. 2) Museum of
Comparative Zoology, Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138. 617-495-2467.
One type specimen of Felis concolor coryi Bangs. 3) National Museum
of Nat. History, 10th St. & Constitution Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20560. 202-357-2664. 1 type specimen of F.c. arundivaga. 4) Florida
State Museum, Laurie Wilkins, Mammal Range, Collections Mgr.,
University of FL, Gainesville, FL 32611. 904-392-1721. 7 F.c. coryi
skins, various skulls and skeletal parts. 5) Tallahassee Junior
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

Museum, 3945 Museum Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32304. 904-576-1636. 1
male, 1 female captive specimens from Robert Baudy's captive breeding
facility. Do not have cowlick or crook in tail. 6) Robert C. Belden,
Panther Biologist, FL Game & Fresh Water Fish Comm., Wildlife Research
Lab, 4005 S Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601. 904-376-6481.
Descriptions, photos, maps, etc. (most pertinent info). 7) Tom Logan,
Bureau Chief, Bureau of Wildlife Research, Division of Wildlife, FL
Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm., 620 S Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL
32301. 904-488-3831. Descriptions, photos, maps, etc. 8) Robert
Baudy, Savage Kingdom, P.O. Box 100, Center Hill, FL 33514. 904-793-
2109. 1 male, 2 females live, 3 kittens born Aug, 1983; 1 female 8-10
months old (USFWS captive breeding permit PRT2-5214). 9) Cheryl
Girton, Belleview, FL. 904-687-4859. 1 male, 18 mo., 2 males, 1
female 10 weeks, from Robert Baudy. 10) Doris Newman, Sessner, FL.
813-685-5947. 1 female from Robert Baudy. 11) Mr. Lester Piper,
Everglades Wonder Garden, P.O. Box 262, Bonita Springs, FL 33926.

Taxonomy - 3 (DRAFT) - Status
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

STATUS

Coded Status
Alabama; Federal Endangered
Alabama; State Listed
Alabama; Unofficially Listed
Arkansas; Federal Endangered

Florida; Federal Endangered
Florida; Officially Listed
Georgia; Federal Endangered
Georgia; State Listed
Louisiana; Federally Endangered
Louisiana; State Recognized
Mississippi; Federal Endangered
Mississippi; State Listed
South Carolina; Federal Endangered
South Carolina; State Listed

E: Federal Endangered

Non-consumptive recreational
Ceremonial/Cultural
Medicinal
Ornamental

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) is listed as an
Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540),
as amended. The subspecies has this status wherever found including
the States of AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, and SC.
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.

RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
BIA -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Bureau of Indian Affairs
lands.
DOD (COE) -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.
NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for conservation (Nat. Park System Organic Act - 16
U.S.C. 1, 2-3)/management/recovery on National Park
Service lands. Taking, possessing, or disturbing of
Federally listed species is prohibited on NPS lands
(36 CFR 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3).

All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
Authority to grant related water development permits in the
habitat of the panther rests with the Corps of Engineers (Dept. of the
Army); in cooperation with the NPS (Interior) on the Everglades
National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve; and in cooperation
with the BIA on Indian Reservations.

STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:

STATE: Alabama
DESIGNATED STATUS: Game Animal (mountain lion, cougar)
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Alabama Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources.
STATE STATUTES: 1982-83 (and probably most recent year) State
Hunting Regulations, pp. 6 and 9 (No open season
designated).

UNOFFICIAL LIST: Endangered (F.c. coryi), Proceedings of the
Symposium on Endangered and Threatened Species
in Alabama. Alabama Museum of Natural History
Bulletin.

STATE: Arkansas, Georgia, and South Carolina
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered (Felis concolor)
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources,
Game and Fish Division.
Status - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

South Carolina Wildlife and Marine
Resources Department.
STATE STATUTES: -Arkansas Cooperative Agreement with the USFWS.
-Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Sec. 391-4-13-.09, Jan. 11, 1981.
-South Carolina Regulations 123-150.

STATE: Louisiana
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries.
STATE STATUTES: Louisiana Statutes Annotated 56:1901 to 56:1907.

STATE: Florida, Mississippi
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered (Felis concolor coryi)
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission.
Mississippi Department of Wildlife
Conservation.
STATE STATUTES: -Florida Statutes Annotated 370.21, 372.01,
372.021, 372.04, 372.07; Rule 39-2.02, 39-3.02
Florida Administrative Code.
-Florida Endangered and Threatened Species Act of
1977, Florida Statutes Annotated 372.072, Rule
39-27.03 Florida Administrative Code; July,
1983.
-Florida Panther Act, Section 372.671, Florida
Statutes; October, 1979.
-Mississippi Public Notice No. 2156, Eff. Sept.
1, 1981.

The Florida panther is listed as the "State Mammal" in Florida
and is a focal point of the Governor's "Save the Everglades Program".

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The Florida panther is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES-I as of February 22, 1977). The Florida panther is also listed
by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN Red Data Book as of June, 1970); and the Convention
on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western
Hemisphere, 1970.

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The panther has tremendous aesthetic (nonconsumptive recreation)
and educational value. It has been designated the State Mammal (FL)
and is very prominent in the news and educational materials. It has
ceremonial/cultural, medicinal and ornamental value to the American
Indian (Miccosukee) in specific rituals (Corn/Harvest Festival) and
powerful leadership recognition. The Osceola family (i.e., decendents
of Chief Osceola, Seminole Indian Wars) are inherent members of the
"Panther Clan," a family unit of the maternal order. This species may
have generated some commercial or economic value to trophy game
Status - 3 (DRAFT) - Status
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

hunters, however, due to such presently low numbers this is doubtful.

67/03/11:32 FR 04001/ - Listing as Endangered
77/02/22:42 FR 10462/10488 - Listing in CITES-I
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review

Status - 4 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
INLAND AQUATIC

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES
SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE
Longleaf Pine shrub--seedling
Longleaf Pine young tree
Longleaf Pine mature tree
Longleaf Pine Old Growth
shrub--seedling
young tree
mature tree
Old Growth
shrub--seedling
young tree
mature tree
Old Growth
Longleaf Pine shrub--seedling
Longleaf Pine young tree
Longleaf Pine mature tree
Longleaf Pine Old Growth
shrub--seedling
young tree
mature tree
Old Growth
shrub--seedling
young tree
mature tree
Old Growth

LAND USE -
Industrial
Transportation, communications, and Util
Mixed Urban or Built-up Land
Cropland and Pasture
Orchards, Groves, Vineyards, Nurseries,
Herbaceous Rangeland
Deciduous Forest Land
Evergreen Forest Land
Mixed Forest Land
Streams and Canals
Reservoirs
Forested Wetland
Nonforested Wetland
Transitional Areas

NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES

NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC

Riverine, intermittent UB4
Riverine, intermittent UB3
Riverine, intermittent UB2
Riverine, intermittent SB4
Riverine, intermittent SB3
Riverine, intermittent SB2
Habitat Associations - 1
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, intermittent OW0
Riverine, intermittent FL4
Riverine, intermittent FL3
Riverine, intermittent FL2
Riverine, intermittent AB5
Riverine, intermittent AB4
Riverine, intermittent AB2
Riverine, lower perennial UB4
Riverine, lower perennial UB3
Riverine, lower perennial UB2
Riverine, lower perennial SB4
Riverine, lower perennial SB3
Riverine, lower perennial SB2
Riverine, lower perennial OW0
Riverine, lower perennial EM
Riverine, lower perennial AB5
Riverine, lower perennial AB4
Riverine, lower perennial AB2
Palustrine OW0
Palustrine FO
Palustrine EM6
Palustrine EM5
Palustrine EM4
Palustrine EM3
Palustrine EM2
Palustrine EM1
Palustrine AB5
Palustrine AB4
Palustrine AB2
Riverine, intermittent UB4
Riverine, intermittent UB3
Riverine, intermittent UB2
Riverine, intermittent SB4
Riverine, intermittent SB3
Riverine, intermittent SB2
Riverine, intermittent OW0
Riverine, intermittent FL4
Riverine, intermittent FL3
Riverine, intermittent FL2
Riverine, intermittent AB5
Riverine, intermittent AB4
Riverine, intermittent AB2
Riverine, lower perennial UB4
Riverine, lower perennial UB3
Riverine, lower perennial UB2
Riverine, lower perennial SB4
Riverine, lower perennial SB3
Riverine, lower perennial SB2
Riverine, lower perennial OW0
Riverine, lower perennial EM
Riverine, lower perennial AB5
Riverine, lower perennial AB4
Riverine, lower perennial AB2
Palustrine OW0
Palustrine FO
Palustrine EM6
Palustrine EM5
Palustrine EM4
Palustrine EM3
Habitat Associations - 2
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Palustrine EM2
Palustrine EM1
Palustrine AB5
Palustrine AB4
Palustrine AB2

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The key habitat used by radio-tagged panthers was generally
mixed-swamp forests (see section on "Home Range/Territory" in
N-Biology). These subtropical dense forests are composed of mainly
trees, shrubs, vines, ferns and epiphytes that occur as elongated
strands that follow low drainage areas. The elevation is variable and
ranges from deep water areas, inundated during most of the year to
higher areas that are seldom inundated. Mostly, the land is
seasonally flooded for months. The primary vegetation is: cabbage
palm (Sabal palmetto), red maple (Acer rubrum), wax myrtle (Myrica
cerifera), cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco), sweet bay (Magnolis
virginiana), and red bay (Persea borbonia). Cypress (Taxodium
distichum), willow (Salix caroliniana), pop ash (Fraxinus
caroliniana), and pond apple (Annona glabra) occur commonly in deeper
water. Hammock vegetation, such as laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia),
dahoon (Ilex cassine), wild coffee (Psychatria undata), myrsine
(Myrsine guianensis), and occasionally live oak (Quercus virginiana),
mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba), pigeon
plum (Coccoloba diversifolia), and slash pine (Pinus elliotii) occur
on the higher land. The forest is usually a mixture of trees, but in
some areas one species will predominate; such as willow (Salix sp.) in
burned areas; and cypress (Taxodium distichum), pop ash or pond apple
(Annona montana) in deep water. Cabbage palm predominates at the
seaward end of some strands (04,34). Within the panthers habitat are
also pine forests. Pine (Pinus elliotii), cabbage palm (Sabal
palmetto), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and scattered hardwood shrubs
are in this kind of area. Grasses here are the dominant ground cover,
such as beardgrass (Andropogon), three awn-grass (Aristida) and panic-
grass (Panicum sp). Sedges, rushes and composites may also be present
in this ground cover (34). Where there is hardwood, there is a layer
of leaf litter 5 to 10 cm thick over the sand (35). Cypress forests
occur in panther habitat also. Small cypress (Taxodium distichum) and
scattered, sparse growths of herbaceous plants such as sawgrass
(Cladium jamaicensis) and beak rushes (Rhynchospora) grow on a thin
layer of marl soil or sand over limestone. Cypress domes and strands
with larger trees also permeate the panther habitat. The trees will
be tallest (20 m at Raccoon Point) (35) in the center and shorter (4 m
at Raccoon Point) (35) toward the border with an egg shaped overall
appearance. The strands follow low drainage depressions. Water and
soil are deeper in the domes than in the surrounding forests. The
soil depth at Raccoon Point, in this type of cypress forest, is 20 cm
and is fairly constant with a fine to coarse sand. Shrubs and small
swamp trees are the common understory here (34). Downed logs in the
forested areas are used by the panther as den sites (19,20).
There are many agricultural lands in panther habitat. Pasture
lands have been created for cattle raising. There are a variety of
row crops including corn, soybeans, watermelons, tomatoes, and others.
There are also fruit orchards.
Multiple land use practices in this area include: the presence of
numerous hunting camps; hunting with dogs, airboats, swamp-buggies,
ATC's, pick-up trucks; annual prescribed burning activities, research
activities including aircraft use, illegal poaching activities (frogs,
ibis, and alligators), and recreational tours. Other land use
Habitat Associations - 3 activities within the Big Cypress include: grazing, camping, hiking,
oil/gas development with associated access roads and spills,
commercial jet-liner training at the Dade Jet-Port, commercial
recreational facilities/activities, Indian villages and gift shops,
and an auto test track was proposed to be located just two miles west
of the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve (36).

Habitat Associations - 4 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Poaceae
General Deciduous Trees-Leaves/Twigs
General Arthropods
General Reptilia
General Aves
General Mammalia
General Carrion
General Poaceae
General Deciduous Trees-Leaves/Twigs
General Arthropods
General Reptilia
General Aves
General Mammalia
General Carrion

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae

LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Terrestrial Features: Downed logs
G
G Inland Wetlands: Bogs
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G Terrestrial Features: Depressions
G Terrestrial Features: Downed logs
G
G Inland Wetlands: Bogs
G Coastal Features: Vegetated offshore islands
G Terrestrial Features: Depressions

Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS:
Panthers are carnivorous. They hunt by stalking their prey until
close enough to pounce on it, grabbing the throat or back of the neck
(06,09,20,28). A panther will cover the prey that cannot be entirely
consumed with brush and leaves and return to it as long as it is
palatable (06,25,26,27,28). It is known that carrion was consumed in
a Dec. 23, 1979 road kill by the presence of blow-fly eggs in the
examined stomach contents (04). It is not known how frequently these
meals are eaten. Hunters in the western U.S. report that mountain
lions (F.c. spp.) kill every 3 to 4 days (06,25). The carcass of a 44
kg subadult male, confiscated in 1978 in Homestead, FL was examined.
The stomach contained 770 g. of hair and pieces of bone from white-
tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and armadillo (Dasypus
novemcintus), leaves of wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) and bald cypress
(Taxodium ascendens) and an unidentified monocot, either a grass or a
sedge. Most likely the monocot was eaten deliberately, but the other
leaves were probably ingested incidental to the food items (29). When
the contents of three other panthers were analyzed from south Florida,
the most important food item based on all four above mentioned was
armadillo. Also all of the stomachs contained 3 to 6 grams of grass
(Graminae) (04). Along with the principal food of the panther being
white-tailed deer and armadillo as a buffer prey species, they will
take other prey of suitable size; wild hogs, raccoon (02,05), a
variety of other small mammals, birds (06,20), insects, reptiles (06,
11,30,31), and possibly domestic livestock (06,09,17,32,33).

HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
A full scale radio telemetry project was begun in January 1981.
As of June 30, 1982, 7 panthers had been monitored with radio collars
a total of 584 times. Results indicate the home ranges of males
average 301 sq. km (range 181-583) and of females 104 sq. km (range
78-129). There is considerable overlap in ranges, but the animals
have never been located together with the exception of one female that
was located with 2 males during Feb. of 1982. Individuals moved as
much as 20 miles overnight or stayed in the same location for a week
or more. They frequently crossed highways or swam canals from one
tree-island to another. When approached by humans, they either
remained still or tried to circle around behind the approaching
people. They appeared to become accustomed to continual noises in
their environment such as rock quarrying operations, highway traffic,
and air traffic noise. They tended to move toward wildfires and
stayed around recent burns for several days. The field search data
indicated the presence of 3 adult males and 2 adult females in the
Fakahatchee Strand; 3 adult males, 1 adult female in the Big Cypress
Preserve, and 2 adult males, 2 adult females and 1 subadult female in
Everglades National Park (04). Refer to Mcbride (41), for a specific
update on these family unit distributions and numbers.

PERIODICITY:
It has been shown that panthers appear to move as much in the
daytime as at night during the winter, but in the summer they did not
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

move at all in the daytime (04).

MIGRATION PATTERNS:
This is a nonmigratory species.

COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
It is believed that the panther requires large expanses of
"undisturbed habitat without human interference" (18).

REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Young panthers are born and nursed in dens, under logs, in caves,
and in Florida, probably in dense thickets and fallen timber (19,20).

REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Panthers probably do not start to breed until about 3 years old
(19). Peak breeding season is December through February (02,04). The
adults are promiscuous (19). Information from western subspecies
shows that females start the courtship and mating act (06,17,33).
Males will fight for the first breeding privileges. Copulation is
then followed by subsequent unions (not in a sexual manner) with other
males (06,17,28). The gestation period is approximated at 90 days
(02). Up to 6 kittens are born to mature females about every 2 to 3
years, but most panther families that have been seen contained only 2
to 4 young (02,19,04). Kittens are yellowish-brown with darker spots
and have blue eyes (05). They weigh 1/2 to 1 lb. when born (17),
and can leave the den at 6 weeks of age. This is when they weigh 6.63
to 7.73 lbs. (15). They gain up to 30-45 lbs. at 6 months and may
double this as yearlings (17).

PARENTAL CARE:
Two or three kittens from a single litter of the Florida panther
survive to take the first hunting trip, which is taken at 3 months of
age. The young stay close to the mother for about 2 years. At this
time the family bond breaks (37). By now the young adults are about
two-thirds their full size and are able to hunt for themselves and are
sexually mature (38).

POPULATION BIOLOGY:
It appears that the panther is a relatively long-lived animal in
the wild. Using tooth wear as an indicator of age, the oldest
specimens of the 11 animals handled by the Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission biologists were estimated to be 12 years old
(02).
Field research data indicates the presence of 3 adult males, 2
adult females in the Fakahatchee Strand, 3 adult males, 1 adult
female and 1 subadult female in the Big Cypress Preserve, and 2 adult
males, 2 adult females and 1 subadult female in the Everglades
National Park. Based on these data, available habitat, the multiple
land-use concept and McBride's study (41) of this area it is
estimated there are about 30 panthers remaining in south Florida (04).
The sex ratio appears to be between 50:50 and 60:40, favoring
males. The sex ratio of 5 dead animals (4 roadkills and 1 illegal
kill) was 60:40. Of 8 live captured animals it was 62:38 and based on
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

field signs of 15 animals 53:47. Eighty to 90 percent of the
population is in the adult age class between 6 to 12 years old (04).

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
It appears that panthers depend on deer populations for food and
that natural deer populations depend on predation by panthers to
control herd densities (19). It would seem that this function is
somewhat taken over by competition with human hunting.

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
Identifying characteristics of a panther are tracks, scrapes and
sounds.
Panther tracks - Panthers leave distinctive tracks that can be
identified. This is based on tracks that were observed and measured
in Florida. The characteristics are the size and shape of the track
as a whole, the absence of claw marks and the size and shape of the
heel pad. The tracks consist of 4 toe marks in a semi-circle ahead of
the imprint of a ball pad. The claws are encased in a sheath and do
not show in a normal track. In adult panthers the heel pad may be
from 50 to 70 mm on a forefoot and from 48 to 60 mm on a hind foot and
show 3 lobes and 2 distinct indentations in the posterior region. The
track is asymmetrical with the second digit advanced. The widest
digital pad is seldom more than 44 percent of the width of the heel
pad. Tracks of the forefeet are broader than those of the hind feet,
so when walking the hind foot is placed in the imprint made by the
fore paw. The smallest track of a free ranging panther is 70 mm which
is larger than the largest bobcat tracks. Panther kittens, when they
leave the den at 6 weeks, have a hind pad track approximately 35 mm in
width. These tracks are normally found with those of their mother
(05,15).
Scrapes - Panthers make scrapes by pushing up a small mound of
dirt and debris with short backward raking motions. This is done with
the hind feet. These are approximately 15.24 cm (6 inch) scrapes and
are usually backed up against some object such as a palmetto bush or
fallen log. The mound is urinated or defecated upon. Panthers are
mainly solitary animals and it is thought these scrapes act as markers
for panthers to keep up with other panthers (05).
Sounds - Adult panthers are usually silent, but they are capable
of most gradations and tones of the domestic cat only louder. This
includes purring, meowing, spitting and caterwauling which is reputed
to sound like a woman screaming (05).

Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Boating Activities
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands
Beneficial Controlling water levels
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Road Maintainance Actions
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Suppressing wildfire
Beneficial Prescribed/controlled burning of habitat
Beneficial Maintaining Early Stages of Succession
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks
Beneficial Disease Control Measures
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Adverse Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Existing Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Poaching
Existing Poaching
Adverse Sport Hunting/Fishing
Existing Sport Hunting/Fishing
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse Food Supply Reduction
Existing Food Supply Reduction
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Disease
Existing Disease
Adverse Gas/Oil Development
Existing Gas/Oil Development
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Existing Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Adverse Strip mining
Existing Strip mining
Adverse Water Level Fluctuation
Existing Water Level Fluctuation
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Predator control
Existing Predator control
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Boating Activities
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands
Beneficial Controlling water levels
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Road Maintainance Actions
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Suppressing wildfire
Beneficial Prescribed/controlled burning of habitat
Beneficial Maintaining Early Stages of Succession
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Maintaining Sperm/Seed Banks
Beneficial Disease Control Measures
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Adverse Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Existing Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Poaching
Existing Poaching
Adverse Sport Hunting/Fishing
Existing Sport Hunting/Fishing
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse Food Supply Reduction
Existing Food Supply Reduction
Adverse Low Gene Pool
Existing Low Gene Pool
Adverse Disease
Existing Disease
Adverse Gas/Oil Development
Existing Gas/Oil Development
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Existing Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Adverse Strip mining
Existing Strip mining
Adverse Water Level Fluctuation
Existing Water Level Fluctuation
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Predator control
Existing Predator control
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
It appears that the panther population has been gradually
destroyed by advancing civilization since the white man came to this
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

country. This process started with early settlers attempting to kill
panthers at every opportunity because of losses of livestock and fear
of the animal itself (04,17).
"As early as 1832, even before Florida became a state, a law was
passed which permitted a panther bounty to be paid by the county
courts. Under this rule, the local courts decided on the amount to be
paid. An 1887 Florida law authorized a statewide 5 dollar bounty for
panther scalps. Then when deer were nearly eradicated in lower
Florida in the 1930's to control the fever tick, panthers strayed from
the relative safety of their normal haunts in search of prey. This
resulted in more hunting pressure by ranchers and almost led to the
final doom of the animal" (05). Until relatively recently, the Big
Cypress Swamp-Everglades Region was impenetrable to man. The first
road through the area was built in 1928 (Tamiami Trail-U.S. Hwy 41).
In the late 1940's and early 1950's the entire region was logged (04).
Partial protection was given to the then rare panther in 1950. At
this time panthers could be hunted only during open season for deer.
Animals that were found destroying livestock could be taken by special
permit at any time. In 1958 the panther was given complete legal
protection by Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and removed
from the native game animal list (05,06,18,19). The logging,
associated with accompanying wildfires, created ideal habitat for the
white-tailed deer. The herd expanded until the forest canopy began
closing in again in the mid-1960's, at which time die-offs occurred.
It is reasonable to assume that the panther population reached its
highest point since the early 20th Century during this period. With
the construction of Alligator Alley (State Hwy 84) through the middle
of the area in 1966-67, the area became easily accessible (04). In
March of 1967, the Florida panther was included as Endangered on the
U.S. Department of Interior's first list of Endangered Wildlife (FR
48:4001) (17). In 1979, the State Florida Panther Act made killing a
panther a felony. The Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 also
gave full protection (04,20).
Several major access roads have been built off of Alligator Alley
at this time. Surface mines for rock quarrying activities and a vast
system of canals, along with ditching, diking and backpumping of water
has caused a general drying in the region. This in turn allows more
off-road vehicles to go more places (04,12). The human population has
increased several hundred percent (04). Agricultural activities
and the removal of natural vegetation, all pose a great
threat to the Florida panther (12). The continued development of the
Big Cypress and Everglades region has resulted in deterioration of the
quality of this area (02) and a shrinkage of wilderness character
(04). This habitat loss probably continues to depress the panther
population below its potential carrying capacity (06,18). Although
the surface area of Big Cypress is publicly owned, the mineral rights
remain in private ownership. Substantial quantities of oil appear to
underly these lands (02). Hunting is prohibited in the Everglades
National Park, but the Big Cypress Preserve is heavily hunted using
off-road vehicles and dogs (12). This has been thought to pose a
threat to the existing panther population also (12,17,19,06,21,22,23).
Panthers have unfortunately been killed with firearms (6 animals from
1978 to 1985 and 1 animal overdosed during a capture attempt for
Management Practices - 4 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

research purposes) (41), but even those incidents have been
outnumbered in recent years by those that have been killed by
automobile accidents (11 animals from 1978 to 1985) (12,19,24,41). In
fact, during one recent 18 month period, 3 panthers were killed by
motor vehicles (02). The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
also realizes that the Endangered status of the Florida panther is
largely due to past unreasonable fear/persecution and to degradation
of the panther habitat that continues as a result of rapid human
population growth. Factors that additionally threaten recovery of
panthers are occasional malicious killing, increased highway traffic
in critical panther ranges, continued industrial, agricultural and
residential development, and accelerated public use in natural areas
that remain crucial to the panthers survival (i.e., multiple land-use
concept) (24).
It has been postulated however, that due to the extended hunting
pressure within panther habitat and poor water level control, the
white-tail deer population is insufficient to adequately support a
healthy panther population.
In addition to the man-made pressures of habitat loss and human
overuse, the panther is treatened with some serious biological
factors.
The panther population in the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve
and Big Cypress National Preserve show the classic symptoms of an
undernourished wildlife population. The population is sparse, aging
and stressed. When the prey base is insufficient, young animals are
more susceptible to disease (39).
There is a prevalence of high levels of antibodies of feline
panleukopenia virus in tested Florida panthers. Feline panleukopenia,
or feline distemper, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects
young or weakened felines. Once infected, the antibodies remain in
the cat's bloodstream providing immunity for life. The presence of
these antibodies in 85 percent of samples taken from 20 individual
panthers indicates a high occurrence of the disease among young
populations. This virus is often fatal to felines suffering from
nutritional deficiencies (40).
In addition to these problems, Florida Game and Freshwater Fish
Commission veterinarian Melody Roelke has found that tests on three
male panthers showed abnormalities in more than 90 percent of their
sperm cells making them incapable of breeding.

APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Florida Panther (Felis
concolor coryi) Recovery Plan. Prepared by the Florida Panther
Interagency Committee for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Atlanta, GA. 75 pp.

The Florida Panther Recovery Plan identifies 3 major tasks to
be undertaken to reach the recovery goal of preventing the animals
extinction and reestablishing viable populations in as much of the
former range as possible.
The first main task is to maintain the existing population by
protecting and managing the essential habitat and range. To insure
Management Practices - 5 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

proper habitat is protected there needs to be continued studies on
movements, food habits and population dynamics; and a program must be
established to monitor existing populations and habitats. Although
not specifically stated in the Recovery Plan management of the
panthers essential habitat may include:
1) Maintaing early stages of succession through prescribed
burning which would aid in the expansion of the deer herd/prey
base. However, fire control may be necessary if fires are
unnaturally started under potentially damaging conditions
(i.e., if it is to dry and the thin soil layer may burn off
the limestone bedrock).
2) Simply leaving the panther alone may be helpful to its
recovery. That is, limiting human access to essential habitat
by:
a) Restricting off-road vehicles (for recreational and
resource management purposes).
b) Restricting airboating activities (for recreational,
hunting, and research purposes).
c) Restricting development such as agricultural, recreational,
urban, rural, and mineral (rock quarring and oil/gas
development). Of the development that already exists, the
controlling of agricultural practices such as pesticide
use, the controlling of road maintenance activities, the
restricting of hunting camps, and in general, land use
zoning or acquisition of essential habitat may be
desirable.
3) The panthers essential habitat may require some wetland
management objectives including the maintenance of water flows
and the water table to duplicate historical conditions. This
may prevent unnatural/untimely flooding or droughts which may
alter the vegetation regime and negatively impact the deer
herd (i.e., decrease deer food supply availability, restrict
deer movement, concentration of the herd may facilitate
epidemics, and some may drown).
4) In addition to maintaing the existing population through
management of essential habitat the restricting of "take"
either directly (i.e., poaching) or indirectly (i.e.,
initial compliance with Section 7 of the ESA, strict
enforcement of the Endangered Species Act and Florida State
Statutes) is necessary.

The second major task that needs to be accomplished is to improve
public opinion and behavior regarding the management of Florida
panthers. This task can be accomplished through public education on
the enforcement of existing regulations.

The third task is to establish populations where possible. To
reestablish panthers, a captive breeding program must be prepared
along with a priority restocking plan and a monitoring program to
evaluate the results.
At present one male and two female Florida panthers are in
capitivity. Although plans exist for a captive breeding
program, the State of Florida may consider maintaining a
Management Practices - 6 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

sperm bank in the interim of the captive breeding project design.
With the latest discovery of feline panleukopenia at a high frequency
in this species, disease control measures may be beneficial if
incorporated into ongoing radio collaring research projects or into
the captive breeding program itself.
Some actions towards the recovery and preservation of the Florida
panther not identified in the Recovery Plan include:
The Governor of Florida, his Cabinet, and several Senators have
initiated and supported the "Save the Everglades Program" in which the
Florida panther is a focal point. The proposed "unraveling" of South
Florida's "plumbing network" of canals to restore natural water flows,
in cooperation with the State Water Management District, COE, and NPS,
should alleviate the problems of untimely flooding from water
releases and untimely severe droughts that in the past have resulted
in "mercy kills" of deer (because of starvation, drowning and
disease). Several water channels, plugs, pumping stations and water
control structures are being modified at a cost of several million
dollars. The Florida Department of Natural Resources and Game and
Fresh Water Fish Commission have considered the possibility of
building "islands" in the water conservation areas to provide dry
ground for deer and decrease the impact of the high water levels.
Private contractors have donated time and fill at a cost of several
thousand dollars to build some of these structures. Also proposed is
the installation of "underpasses" for panther crossings under
Alligator Alley to reduce the chance of highway mortality at a cost of
several million dollars. Yet another action to decrease road-kills is
the decrease of speed limits on Alligator Alley in areas of highest
frequency of panther road-kills. All of these programs, and the
panther in general, are supported by several local, national and
international conservation organizations.

Management Practices - 7 (DRAFT) - References
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****

01 Bangs, O. 1899. The Florida Puma. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 13:15-
17. In: Belden, R.C. 1978. The Florida Panther Recovery Plan.
USFWS.
02 Naggiar, M. 1982. The Florida Panther. FL Wildl. Sept-Oct 1982.
03 Goldman, E.A. 1946. Classification of the Races of the Puma. Pp
175-302. In: S.P. Young and E.A. Goldman. The Puma, Mysterious
American Cat. Amer. Wildl. Inst., Wash., D.C. 358 pp. In: Belden,
R.C. 1978. The Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
04 Belden, R.C. 1982. Florida Panther Recovery Plan Implementation
A 1982 Progress Report. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm.
Wildlife Research Lab, Gainesville.
05 Belden, R.C. 1977. If you see a panther. FL Wildl. Sept-Oct. Pp
33-40.
06 Woodard, D. 1980. Selected Vertebrate Endangered Species of the
Seacoast of the United States--The Florida Panther. USFWS. FWS/
OBS-80/01.46.
07 Audubon, J.J. and J. Bachman. 1851. The Viviparous Quadrupeds of
North America. 3 Vols. George R. Lockwood. New York. In: 06.
08 Merriam, C.H. 1901. Preliminary Revision of the Pumas (Felis
concolor group). Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci. 3:577-600. In 05.
09 Hamilton, W.J. 1943. The Mammals of Eastern United States: an
Account of Recent Land Mammals Occurring East of the Mississippi.
Comstock Publ. Assoc. Cornell Univ. Press. Ithaca, NY. 432 pp.
In: 06.
10 Hall, E.R. and K.R. Kelson. 1959. The Mammals of North America.
2 Vols. Ronald Press. New York. 1083 pp. In: 06.
11 Hughes, W. 1965. Florida's Wild Cats. FL Wildl. 18(9):16-17.
In: 06.
12 Belden, R.C. 1978. The Florida Panther Recovery Plan. Florida
Panther Recovery Team. USFWS.
13 Cory, C.B. 1896. Hunting and Fishing in Florida. Estes and
Lauriat Boston. 304 pp. In: 12.
14 Hollister, N. 1911. The Louisiana Puma. Proc. Biol. Surv. Wash.
24:175-178. In: 12.
15 Belden, R.C. 1978. How to Recognize Panther Tracks. Proc. SE
Assn. Game and Fish Commissioners Conf. Hot Springs, VA.
16 Nelson, E.W. and E.A. Goldman. 1939. List of the Pumas with Three
Described as New. J. Mamm. 10:345-350. In: 12.
17 Turnipseed, T. 1982. Endangered Species Notebook. USDI/USFWS
Atlanta, GA.
18 Layne, J.N. and M.N. McCauley. 1976. Biological Overview of the
Florida Panther. In: Proc. of a FL Panther Conference and
Workshop. March 1976. FL Aud. Soc. In: 06.
19 Layne, J.N. (ed.) 1978. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. 6
Vols. Vol.1 Mammals. Univ. Press of FL. Gainesville, FL. Pp. 13-
14.
20 Hendry, L.C., T.M. Goodwin, and R.F. Labisky. 1980. Florida's
Vanishing Wildlife. FL Coop. Ext. Serv. Pp 60-61.
21 Laycock, G. 1969. America's Endangered Wildlife. Norton, NY.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

226 pp. In: 06.
22 Nowak, R.M. and R. McBride. 1973. Feasibility of a Study on the
Florida Panther. Report to World Wildl. Fund. (Xerox) 13 pp. In:
06.
23 Anon. 1973. Florida Panther in Imminent Danger. World Wildl.
News. 1(3):3-4. In: 06.
24 Logan, T. 1983. Florida Panther Recovery: A Status Report to the
Governor and Cabinet, July 7, 1983. Bureau of Wildl. Research.
FL Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm. Tallahassee, FL.
25 Young, S.P. and E.A. Goldman. 1964. The Puma, Mysterious American
Cat. Dover Publ., Inc. New York. 358 pp. In: 06.
26 Goin, O.B. 1948. Cat of a Dozen Names. Fauna 10(4):101-105. In:
06.
27 Allen, E.R. 1950. Notes on the Florida Panther, Felis concolor
coryi Bangs. J. Mamm. 31:279-280. In: 06.
28 Lowery, G.H., Jr. 1974. The Mammals of Louisiana and its Adjacent
Waters. Louisiana State Univ. Press. Baton Rouge, LA. 565 pp.
In: 06.
29 Belden, R.C. and D.J. Forrester. 1980. A Specimen of Felis
concolor coryi from Florida. J. Mamm. Vol. 61 No.1 (Feb). Pp 160-
161.
30 Smith, G. 1968. The Florida Panther. FL Wildl. 21(8):30-31. In:
06.
31 Tinsley, J.B. 1970. The Florida Panther. Great Outdoors Publ.
Co. St. Petersburg, FL. 60 pp. In: 06.
32 True, F.W. 1891. The Puma, or American Lion: Felis concolor of
Linneaus. In Ann. Rep. U.S. Natl. Mus. Year ending June 30, 1889.
Pp. 591-609. In: 06.
33 Rodgers, D.P. and J.P. Crowder. 1974. Threatened Wildlife of
South Florida. South Florida Environ. Proj. Ecol. Rep. DI-SFEP-74-
25. 34 pp. In: 06.
34 McPherson, B.F. 1973. Vegetation Map of Southern Parts of
Subareas A and C, Big Cypress Swamp, Florida. USGS.
35 Gunderson, L.H. and L.L. Loope. 1982. A Survey and Inventory of
the Plant Communities in the Raccoon Point Area, Big Cypress
National Preserve. South Florida Research Center Report T-665.
36 pp.
36 Palmer, D. 1983. Personal communication. USFWS Biologist,
Jacksonville, FL.
37 LaHart, D. 1973. Florida's Endangered Dozen. Florida Wildlife
Magazine.
38 Moore, N. 1979. Florida Panther, If Animals Could Talk. School
Board of Pinellas County, Florida.
39 Minutes of the Florida Panther Technical Advisory Council Meeting.
June 12, 1984.
40 Roelke, M.E., E.R. Jacobson, G.V. Kallias and D.J. Forrester.
1984. Unpublished paper. Medical Management and Biomedical
Findings on the Florida Panther, Felis concolor coryi.
41 McBride, R. 1985. Population Status of the Florida Panther in
Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. NPS
Contract No. RFP 5280-84-04. 58 pp.
42 Maehr, D. 1987. Pers. commun. FL Game and Fresh Water Fish
Comm., Naples, FL.
References - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****

01 Belden, R.C. 1979. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. Florida
Panther Recovery Team. USFWS.
02 Goldman, E.A. 1946. Classification of the Races of Puma. Pp 175-
302. In: S.P. Young and E.A. Goldman. The Puma, Mysterious
American Cat. Amer. Wildl. Inst. Washington, D.C. 358 pp. In:
Belden, R.C. 1979. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
03 Hall, E.R. and K.R. Kelson. 1959. The Mammals of North America.
2 Vols. Ronald Press. New York. 1083 pp. In: Belden, R.C.
1979. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
04 Logan, T. 1983. Florida Panther Recovery: A Status Report to the
Governor and Cabinet. July 7, 1983. Florida Game and Fresh Water
Fish Commission.
05 Belden, R.C. 1982. Florida Panther Recovery Plan Implementation.
A 1982 Progress Report. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission. Wildlife Research Lab. Gainesville, FL.
06 Belden, R.C. 1983. Personal communication. Florida
Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Wildlife Research Lab.; 4005
South Main Street; Gainesville, FL; 32601. 904-376-6481.
07 Hydrologic Unit Map of the United States, adapted from the U.S.
Geological Survey. 1980.
08 Ecoregions and Land Surface Forms map. 1982. USFWS, FWS/OBS-89/
09.
09 Layne, J.N. (ed.) 1978. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida,
Mammals Vol.1. University Presses of Florida. Gainesville, FL.
10 Layne, J.N. and M.M. McCauley. 1976. Biological Overview of the
Florida Panther. Pp. 5-45. In: Proceedings of the Florida Panther
Conference (P.C.H. Pritchard, ed.) Florida Audubon Society and
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Orlando, FL. 121
pp. In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan.
USFWS.
11 Lewis, J.C. 1969. Evidence of Mountain Lions in the Ozarks and
Adjacent areas, 1948-1968. J. Mamm. 50:371-372. In: Belden, R.C.
1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
12 Lewis, J.C. 1970. Evidence of Mountain Lions in the Ozark, Boston
and Ouachita Mountains. Proc. Oklahoma Acad. Sci. 1968. Pp. 182-
184. In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan.
USFWS.
13 Lowery, G.H., Jr. 1974. The Mammals of Louisiana and its Adjacent
Waters. Louisiana State University Press. Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Pp. 565. In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan.
USFWS.
14 McCauley, M.N. 1977. Current Population and Distribution Status
of the Panther, Felis concolor, in Florida. Unpubl. MS Thesis,
Univ. of South Florida. Tampa, FL. 58 pp. In: Belden, R.C.
1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
15 Sealander, J.A. 1956. A Provisional Check-list and Key to the
Mammals of Arkansas (with annotations). Amer. Midl. Nat. 56:38-41.
In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
16 Sealander, J.A. 1979. A Guide to Arkansas Mammals. River Road
References - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

Press. Conway, Arkansas. 313 pp. In: Belden, R.C. 1978.
Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
17 Sealander, J.A. and P.S. Gibson. 1973. Status of the Mountain
Lion in Arkansas. Proc. Arkansas Acad. Sci. 27:38-41. In: Belden,
R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
18 Bangs, O. 1899. The Land Mammals of Peninsular Florida and the
Coast Region of Georgia. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 23:157-235.
In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
19 Woodard, D.W. 1980. Selected Vertebrate Endangered Species of the
Seacoast of the United States - The Florida Panther. USFWS,
Biological Services Program FWS/OBS-80/01.46.
20 Lowman, G.E. 1975. A Survey of Endangered, Threatened, Rare,
Status Undetermined, Peripheral and Unique Mammals of the
Southeastern National Forest and Grasslands. USDA. Forest
Service. Atlanta, GA. 121 pp. In: Woodard, D.W. 1980. Selected
Vertebrate Endangered Species of the Seacoast of the United States-
The Florida Panther. USFWS, Biological Services Program FWS/OBS-
80/01.46.
21 Waters, J.A. 1984. The Florida Panther, Living on the Edge. Fl.
Wildl. 1984(4):22-27.
22 Belden, R.C., W.B. Frankenberger, S.T. Schwikert and R.H.
Williams. 1985. Status of the Panther in Flagler and Volusia
Counties, Florida. Endang. Species Annual Performance Report,
Study E1-09II-E-1. 8 pp.
23 Belden, R.C. 1985. Annual Performance Report; Panther Population
Survey. Study No. E1-09II-E-1. Florida Game and Freshwater Fish
Commission. Tallahassee, FL. 52 pp.
24 McBride, R. 1985. Population Status of the Florida Panther in
Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. NPS
Contract No. RFP 5280-84-04. 58 pp.

***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****

Geological Survey. 1980.
08 Ecoregions and Land Surface Forms map. 1982. USFWS, FWS/OBS-89/
09.
09 Layne, J.N. (ed.) 1978. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida,
Mammals Vol.1. University Presses of Florida. Gainesville, FL.
10 Layne, J.N. and M.M. McCauley. 1976. Biological Overview of the
Florida Panther. Pp. 5-45. In: Proceedings of the Florida Panther
Conference (P.C.H. Pritchard, ed.) Florida Audubon Society and
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Orlando, FL. 121
pp. In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan.
USFWS.
11 Lewis, J.C. 1969. Evidence of Mountain Lions in the Ozarks and
Adjacent areas, 1948-1968. J. Mamm. 50:371-372. In: Belden, R.C.
1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
12 Lewis, J.C. 1970. Evidence of Mountain Lions in the Ozark, Boston
and Ouachita Mountains. Proc. Oklahoma Acad. Sci. 1968. Pp. 182-
184. In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan.
USFWS.
13 Lowery, G.H., Jr. 1974. The Mammals of Louisiana and its Adjacent
Waters. Louisiana State University Press. Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Pp. 565. In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan.
USFWS.
14 McCauley, M.N. 1977. Current Population and Distribution Status
of the Panther, Felis concolor, in Florida. Unpubl. MS Thesis,
Univ. of South Florida. Tampa, FL. 58 pp. In: Belden, R.C.
1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
15 Sealander, J.A. 1956. A Provisional Check-list and Key to the
Mammals of Arkansas (with annotations). Amer. Midl. Nat. 56:38-41.
In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
16 Sealander, J.A. 1979. A Guide to Arkansas Mammals. River Road
Press. Conway, Arkansas. 313 pp. In: Belden, R.C. 1978.
Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
17 Sealander, J.A. and P.S. Gibson. 1973. Status of the Mountain
Lion in Arkansas. Proc. Arkansas Acad. Sci. 27:38-41. In: Belden,
R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
18 Bangs, O. 1899. The Land Mammals of Peninsular Florida and the
Coast Region of Georgia. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 23:157-235.
In: Belden, R.C. 1978. Florida Panther Recovery Plan. USFWS.
19 Woodard, D.W. 1980. Selected Vertebrate Endangered Species of the
Seacoast of the United States - The Florida Panther. USFWS,
Biological Services Program FWS/OBS-80/01.46.
20 Lowman, G.E. 1975. A Survey of Endangered, Threatened, Rare,
Status Undetermined, Peripheral and Unique Mammals of the
Southeastern National Forest and Grasslands. USDA. Forest
Service. Atlanta, GA. 121 pp. In: Woodard, D.W. 1980. Selected
Vertebrate Endangered Species of the Seacoast of the United States-
The Florida Panther. USFWS, Biological Services Program FWS/OBS-
80/01.46.
21 Waters, J.A. 1984. The Florida Panther, Living on the Edge. Fl.
Wildl. 1984(4):22-27.
22 Belden, R.C., W.B. Frankenberger, S.T. Schwikert and R.H.
Williams. 1985. Status of the Panther in Flagler and Volusia
Counties, Florida. Endang. Species Annual Performance Report,
References - 5 (DRAFT) - References
Species PANTHER, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS054001
Date 14 MAR 96

Study E1-09II-E-1. 8 pp.
23 Belden, R.C. 1985. Annual Performance Report; Panther Population
Survey. Study No. E1-09II-E-1. Florida Game and Freshwater Fish
Commission. Tallahassee, FL. 52 pp.
24 McBride, R. 1985. Population Status of the Florida Panther in
Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. NPS
Contract No. RFP 5280-84-04. 58 pp.

References - 6