By far the rarest mammal inhabiting the Everglades region is the Florida panther (Felis Concolor Coryl). This panther is a descendant of the puma (also the cougar or mountain lion) which inhabits western parts of North America. The endangered Florida population, which is considered to be a separate subspecies, is currently composed of 30 to 50 individuals – all confined to southern Florida. Adults may grow to seven feet including the tail, and weigh from 65 (small female) to 160 (large male) pounds. The home range of a panther is typically about 250 square miles for males and less than 100 square miles for females. Travel is normally done during the night, but in cooler winter weather they may also move during daylight. Panthers are mostly solitary, except from the 12 to 18 months age when females raise their litters, typically consisting of one to four kittens.

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