Remains of Rare Florida Panther Discovered in Big Cypress Preserve

First Posted: Mar 31, 2014 10:40 AM EDT
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Officials from the Big Cypress National Preserve, located in Southern Florida, have discovered the remains of another panther that was killed.

The remains were collected Saturday, according to the Associated Press (AP). The animal was not wearing a collar, and its age and gender have yet to be determined at this time.

Known as the state's animal, these extremely rare creatures and one of the most endangered mammals on the planet usually carry a tawny brown coat with a pale gray underside. The Florida panther is one of 30 Puma concolor subspecies known by various names, including puma, painter, cougar, mountain lion, catamount, and of course, panther.

They live off a diet of primarily white-tailed deer, but have also been known to eat rabbit, feral hog, raccoon, certain birds and armadillos. Panthers have also known to have a taste for pets also. In other words, if you live near one and have an outside cat or dog, watch out!

Though these guys have lived across parts of Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and even Tennessee, these days, they're only found south of the Caloosahatchee River, at the southern tip of Florida.

According to wildlife biologist Deborah Jansen, this cat was likely killed by another panther. However, the remains will be turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for further evaluation. 

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