Interesting facts about the Florida cougar. Puma is an animal from the cat family

Florida wildlife officials say they have never confirmed that this particular species of patera (puma) has ever attacked a human in recent times.

A state Wildlife official opposed changing plans to protect the Florida panther, saying there was no reason to fear big cats.

On September 2, 2015, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission considered a proposal to reduce the population of this species.

Opponents say the proposal was dictated by ranchers who complained about panthers eating their livestock and potentially threatening their family members. Commissioner Ron "Alligator" Bergeron said he never had reason to be afraid of a panther.

"I've been within three yards of the Panthers a few times," Bergeron said. "There has never been a panther attack in the history of Florida."

The commission voted 4 to 1, approving Bergeron's proposal. The group agreed to change the plan the following day, Bergeron adding that the state will continue to work with the federal government with "existing staff and budgetary resources." Overall, the decision states that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not the state, will take the lead in panther breeding in central and northern Florida.

Some data about the Florida panther (puma)
The Florida panther is a subspecies of the cougar that once roamed the state. The male panther requires about 200 miles of open territory to successfully hunt, population growth and the occupation of more and more territory by people in Florida has led to a decrease in the population of this cat.

Historically, panthers hunted white-tailed deer and other animals, and livestock often served as a substitute. Farmers routinely killed cats until the federal government banned panther hunting in 1958. In 1967 they were declared an endangered species and the state did the same in 1973. By that time, between 20 and 30 panthers remained in the state.

Since then, their numbers have increased and fluctuate around 100-180 individuals, but this does not mean that everything is fine. In particular, 30 cats were killed in 2014, most of all by cars in Collier and Hendry counties. Also in that year, panthers killed a record number of livestock and pets.

At that time, livestock suffered from panthers when they were close, as a rule, they give people more space for their activities. A spokeswoman for the Panther Conservation Commission backed Bergeron that no panther attacks on humans have ever been confirmed in the state in the modern era. This is a big bonus for animals even when some zealous ones try to say that panthers are attacking humans.

It is worth noting that the cougar (mountain lion or keguar, no matter what you call it) has attacked people in other states of the country. For example, a 35-year-old man was killed by a cougar in 2004 while working on his bike at a wildlife park in Orange County, California. The same cat attacked and injured a 30-year-old woman on a bicycle at the same spot a day later. In 2008, a 55-year-old man was killed by a mountain lion near his home near Pinos Altos, New Mexico.

Wildlife ecology professor Madan Oli of the University of Florida has not heard of a single panther attack in Florida.

"I don't know of any documented cases of Florida panther attacks on humans," Oli said. "I think it's safe to say that no such attacks have occurred in this century, but I can't say when the last attack was, if ever."

Attack verification is the cornerstone when it is very difficult to object to proven facts. Even the attack that took place near Lake Kissimmee in 2014 cannot be verified because the alleged victim waited three weeks to report it.

Gary Mormino, professor emeritus at the University of South Florida, said the phrase "panther attack" is routinely used to fill the newspaper.

One particular incident occurred in 1899 when a man named Biggs was on a picnic with his wife and 2-year-old child when a "big wild cat" (which is a more general alternative description for panthers) attacked the child.

"The cat bit Smith terribly on the arm and its strong claws dug into his clothes, tore his jacket and shirt almost completely to the body," the article writes. Biggs allegedly strangled the animal to death and displayed its body in his shop in Tonotosass.

Mormino's research showed that reports of attacks appeared in the media in the 1960s, in local papers and the New York Times. How true they are is another question.

"I'm amazed how many panthers are blamed for attacks on people in the late 19th and early 20th century," Mormino told a local newspaper. “And I'm sure these numbers are from the past. Those who claim that they were attacked by panthers are only half true. As far as scientific truth is concerned, I just don't know, experts should be consulted."

Puma is a member of the cat family, a species of cougar. There are 6 subspecies of this species. Between themselves, these subspecies differ in size and color.

In the world this animal is known by different names: cougar, mountain lion, panther and the most common - cougar. The last name comes from the language of the Peruvian Indians. These tribes even had a legend that "puma is a poor child who has embarked on the wrong path." Most likely, they thought so, because cougars often attacked livestock. Another name "American lion" puma received from the first settlers of the New World, who, apparently, were proud of the fact that they have to survive in harsh conditions, where danger awaits them at every corner in the form of a formidable lion.

Description of the cougar or its appearance

Puma is a rather large animal, although it is inferior in size to other large cats. In the Americas, it is the second largest cat in size after the jaguar. In length, the cougar can reach 100-180 cm without a tail. The length of the tail of the animal is from 65 to 75 cm. At the withers, the puma is from 60 to 80 cm. The weight is from 29 to 105 kg, and males in their dimensions are always much larger than females. The physique of pumas is dense, but flexible. The legs are slender and not high. The paws are large, equipped with sharp hook-shaped claws with four toes on the front paws and five on the back. The head is small and slightly elongated. The fur of the cougars is thick, but short, uniformly colored.

In terms of color and physique, the cougar really resembles a lion, only without a mane and a tassel on the tail. And the babies of the cougar have a spotted skin, like a lynx.

AT different regions habitats, different subspecies have formed, which differ slightly from each other in color and size. Cougars living in the southern and tropical regions of America have a more golden-red color and are not so large sizes like their relatives of the northern regions. In northern cougars, the coat color is light gray with a reddish undertone. But there are never cougars, the size of which would approach the lion.

Cougar lifestyle and breeding

Cougars lead a solitary lifestyle. They spend their whole lives in their territorial area, where they hunt and give birth to offspring. The territory of one cougar can cover hundreds of square kilometers. For example, the hunting area of ​​one female is from 30 km² to 375 km², and even more for a male - from 130 km² to 750 km². The sites of females and males may overlap, but the sites of males never intersect. Each cougar marks its territory with urine, feces, or leaves marks in the form of scratches on trees.

It is most convenient for this predator to move on the ground, although it also climbs trees superbly. Catching up with its prey, the cougar is able to develop a fairly high speed of up to 65 km / h, as well as make a long jump up to 8 m. The animal also jumps well in height, by about 5-6 meters, and even more from a height down, up to m.

Mostly ungulates, but on occasion they will not disdain even a mouse.

The mating season for cougars lasts all year round, although for the northern subspecies it lasts from December to May. During the mating season, males fight among themselves for the right to mate with the female. The male who won the fight stays with the female for some time. A married couple stays together from 1 to 6 days, for a maximum of 2 weeks.

Then, after 90 days, babies are born. Puma kittens are born blind, weighing from 200 to 450 grams, no more than 30 cm long. There are often two or three babies in one litter, less often one or five. Babies begin to see 8-10 days after birth, and by the sixth week they begin to eat meat.

Protection and population status of cougars

When the first settlers came to the New World, they considered the puma a formidable and harmful beast that exterminated their livestock. The result was a ruthless and massive extermination of cougars. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were so few cougars left that they began to be called "ghosts of the Wild West." But the destruction of these animals turned into a deplorable result for the people themselves. The populations of armadillos included in the diet of the cougar began to grow very quickly. Armadillos dug burrows into which cattle fell and broke their legs, and then died. As a result, farmers and pastoralists were losing more cows and horses than before. Until recently, the cougar was ruthlessly destroyed, but today it has to be reckoned with. Thanks to many efforts to preserve this species, in our time, the number of cougars has grown and is about 30 thousand individuals. Although several subspecies of cougars are still listed in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), and the Florida cougar subspecies is even listed in the International Red Book with the status of "critically endangered".

Photo by Larry W. Richardson/USFWS. Florida, United States. CCBY 2.0

The local name is the Florida panther.

The current taxonomic status (consider P. c. coryi or classify P. c. couguar) is unresolved and recent genetic studies do not change legal conservation status. The Florida panther has long been considered a unique subspecies of the cougar. Hunting for it has been banned since 1958, and in 1967 it was listed in the US Red Book, in 1973 it was added to the state's list of endangered species.

Despite genetic research, it is still considered as a subspecies of P. c. coryi in research projects, especially those directly related to the conservation of the Florida panther.

Range: southern Florida (USA). The main distribution in the counties is Collier, Glades, and Lee; then - Miami-Dade and Monroe. Dispersers (young cougars leaving their natal territory) may move far north of the peninsula in search of new territories.

Previously lived throughout the southeastern United States from Arkansas and Louisiana east to Georgia and South Florida. Now preserved in southern Florida for about 5579 km², which is less than 5% of their historical range. Threatened due to small population size, isolation and habitat loss. From the 70s to the 80s, only about 20-30 cougars remained, from the 80s to the 90s - about 50-70 (according to other sources, also 20-30). In 1995, an attempt was made to regenerate this closed population. The release of 8 females captured in west Texas led to the fact that 5 of them had offspring from local males - at least 20 kittens. Texan females were later removed from the Florida wild. The population of Florida panthers began to increase and in the early 2000s it was already 90-120 individuals, after 2010 - 100-160. The current population size of adult panthers (pubescent and not yet) is estimated to be in the range of 100-180 individuals.

The size is average for this species, being smaller than that of northern and southern regions, but larger than neotropical cougars. Adult female Florida panthers weigh 29-45.5 kg, while males weigh 45.5-72 kg. The total length is from 1.8 to 2.2 m, and the shoulder height is 60-70 cm. Males are on average 9.4% larger and 33.2% heavier than females. This is because males grow at a faster rate than females and for a longer time.

The fur is dark yellowish brown above and lighter on the underside. At birth, Florida panthers tend to have Blue eyes. As the panther grows, the spots disappear, and the coat becomes solid, and the eyes usually turn yellow. The panther's underbelly is creamy white. There are black markings on the tail and ears. The muzzle and tip of the tail are black. The head is broad, the ears are rounded.

Florida panthers are silent, but they make various sounds - growls, hisses, snorts, purrs, etc.

Florida panthers are commonly found in lowland swampy areas in subtropical dense forests consisting mainly of trees, shrubs and vines. Also found in pine forests. Open agricultural land is also used if there is good shelter nearby. AT national park The Everglades edge of the habitat provides good food and cover for the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which in turn attracts the panther.

Large wetland areas are preferred, which are generally inaccessible to humans and are important for shelter. May allow mosaicity of natural plant communities. GPS tracking has determined that panther habitat selection varies by time of day for all specimens observed, regardless of size or sex. They move to wetlands during daytime and move to grasslands at night. Females with kits build dens in a wide variety of habitats, preferring dense thickets that are often marshy.

The size of the personal area varies depending on the gender and is individual. In females, as a rule, 177-192 km², in males 437-510 km². There are many roads and human structures in these areas. The home ranges of resident males tend to be larger than those of females and overlap a number of home ranges of several females, but only occasionally overlap in other resident males. The main areas of the females usually overlap, but the females avoid each other in the area of ​​overlap. Females choose sites with relatively high density mining. The size of a male's patch usually reflects the density and distribution of females.

They are solitary animals, except during the breeding season and while the female is raising the young.

Sexual maturity occurs at 2-3 years. Females, as a rule, do not breed until they start a personal plot. The earliest recorded first reproduction in Florida panthers was in an 18-19 month old female who raised four kittens on her mother's property. Male Florida panthers reach sexual maturity probably after 3 years.

Florida panthers are polygamous. They are able to breed throughout the year and successful litters can occur any month of the year. However, the breeding season for Florida panthers begins in October and continues through April, with the highest intensity from November to March. More than half of births occur between April and August.

The estrus cycle lasts about 23 days, the estrus itself is usually 8 days (sometimes up to 11 days).

After a gestation period of 90-98 days, the female gives birth to 1-4 kittens. In the first litter, only one kitten is born to females. Births can be every year according to optimal conditions, but usually one litter is produced every year or every 3 years. If a female loses her kittens for any reason, she can breed again shortly after the loss.

Kittens are born in dens set up by their mother, often in dense bush. The location of the lair is chosen based on a number of factors, including the availability of prey. Kittens begin to feed on milk within minutes of birth and quickly gain weight. Males tend to grow faster than females. At 2 weeks of age, the eyes and ears open and the kittens can walk. Kittens spend the first 6-8 weeks of life in these dens, completely dependent on their mother. The very first 2-3 weeks the mother spends most of her time feeding the kittens. Later, she begins to spend more and more time away from the den, weaning kittens from milk and bringing small prey to the den. The female begins to feed them meat at the age of 7 to 8 weeks; stops breastfeeding at 2-3 months. Old enough to leave the den, the young begin to hunt in the company of their mother. As a rule, this occurs from 2 months of age. Young cougars can live on their own from 6 months of age, but they usually stay with their mother until they are 2 years old. Siblings sometimes separate as a group and may stay together for 3 months or longer. Having become finally adults, young cougars begin to hunt and live independently.

A large predator whose diet consists mainly of small animals such as hares, mice and waterfowl, but also from larger ones - storks, white-tailed deer, wild boars and even American alligators. Daily regime Panther hunting is highly dependent on the behavior of its prey, especially deer. Deer are nocturnal in nature, which makes hunting this type of prey more successful for panthers, as they are excellent night hunters.

In Florida, panthers commonly prey on feral pigs, raccoons, and nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) in addition to white-tailed deer. In southwestern Florida, from 1977 to 1989, feral pigs were the most common prey species. Then followed the white-tailed deer, raccoons and armadillos. All puma stomachs also contained 3 to 8 grams of grass. In another study in South Florida, white-tailed deer were found in 46% of cougar feces, rabbits in 31%, cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) in 20%, feral pigs in 15%, raccoons in 11%, armadillos in 7%, and birds in 3%. %.

Meetings with a person are rare and usually pass without incident - the animal leaves. In the period 2015-2016 only 3 meetings were recorded, two of them with young animals, which, out of curiosity, came to the dwelling of a person. Moreover, one panther lay down in the yard, and the second entered the house, breaking the door.

During the same period, 23 attacks on pets were recorded. Animals killed or injured by panthers included goats (17), calves (12), sheep (11), dogs (2) and duck (1).

The two most common causes of death for Florida panthers are being hit by cars and territorial aggression between panthers. If these incidents injure the panthers, they are taken to the White Oak Conservation in Julie, Florida for recovery and rehabilitation until the animals are strong enough to be released.

In addition, White Oak accepts orphaned kittens for 12 orphans. In 2011, an orphaned 5-month-old sibling was brought to the center after their mother was found dead in Collier County, Florida. The reared male and female were released in early 2013 in the Rotenberger Wildlife Management and Collier County areas, respectively.

The main threats to the population as a whole are habitat loss, habitat degradation and fragmentation. South Florida is a rapidly growing area. Territory fragmentation by major roads strongly segments Florida panthers by gender. Between 1981 and 2004 found that most panthers hit by cars were males. Females are much more reluctant to cross roads. Therefore, when young panthers are dispersed, males move away in search of a site, roaming over extremely large territories, and females do this less often and occupy sites close to natal (mother's sites). Therefore, the roads separate the habitats of adult panthers by gender. In addition, the distribution area is expanding extremely slowly, despite the departure of males far from the main population.

The maximum age of wild cougars is unknown. It has been established that cougars can live up to 12-13 years in their personal areas. There is evidence of an age of 15-18 years for Florida panthers in the wild, but at 8-12 years old, the cougar is already considered old.

The Florida puma is a mammal from the genus Puma of the cat family. To date, this animal is the rarest among all types of cougars. Another name for the Florida cougar is the mountain lion, or cougar. Outwardly, the cougar is very similar to the panther, but in general its appearance is more elegant and graceful. This cat has a flexible, elongated body. On a relatively small head are small rounded ears.

In the mouth of the animal are four-centimeter fangs. At the end of a strong long tail there is a small brush. The paws of the cougar are short, wide and powerful. Extendable claws are located on wide feet. The body of the cougar is covered with short, thick and coarse fur. The body length of the Florida cougar ranges from 145 cm to 275 cm. The body weight of an adult can range from 27 to 102 kg.

The body of the cougar is mainly colored in yellow-brown or yellow-gray tones. The tail is darker than the rest of the body. The fur on the chin and belly is white. This is the main color, in addition to which there are several more options. Individuals living in the tropics are painted in red tones, and representatives of the northern part of the habitat are gray in color.

AT this moment most individuals of this species of cougars live in the Big Cypress National Preserve, whose territory covers the swamps and forests of southern Florida, USA. In nature, the animal lives both in flat areas and in the mountains. Adulthood for young cougars comes in the second year of life. From this moment on, the cougar leaves the territory of its mother and goes in search of its own site. The area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe personal habitat of one adult individual can reach 1300 km2. The cougar is active only at night. The whole bright part of the day is devoted to sleep and rest. Puma, as a rule, does not make long-distance races, as it is quickly exhausted.

The prey of this cat are mainly mountain sheep, deer and elk. Smaller animals such as rabbits, squirrels and mice are also included in the diet. On occasion, the Florida cougar also preys on muskrats, raccoons, beavers, armadillos, porcupines, and even crocodiles. With the scarcity of the natural food supply, the cougar can attack poultry and farm livestock.

- this large cat, which is also called a cougar or a mountain lion. The wild cat can be found in Central Canada, in the southwest of Alaska, in South and Middle America.

The cougar is somewhat similar to the panther, although it is more graceful. Nature endowed the cougar with a strong, elongated, flexible body, a small head with small round ears, strong and low paws. Paws with sharp retractable claws are wide, feet are also wide. A long tail, powerful, muscular, evenly lowered, at the end there is a small brush. Rough, short and dense fur. Fangs reach up to four centimeters, the animal weighs from twenty-seven and one hundred and two kilograms. The length of the body, together with the tail, ranges from one hundred and forty-five centimeters to two hundred and seventy-five centimeters. The main coat color is gray-yellowish or brownish-yellowish. The chin and belly are white, the tail is black. But the animals that live in tropical areas have a red color, and in the north - gray. The ears are dark in color and black marks are located on both sides of the muzzle.

The Florida cougar lives at different heights - from plains to mountains almost five thousand meters above sea level.

The animal leads a solitary lifestyle, except for the breeding season. The cougar hunts mainly at the time when dusk sets in, and in the daytime likes to soak up the sun or sleep in the den. This animal does not like to run, as it is quickly exhausted. Although at short distances it can reach speeds of up to fifty kilometers per hour.

The Florida Puma is quite a patient animal. Once in a trap, she tries to free herself, and does not go crazy like a tiger. If she has nothing to do, then she will fall into melancholy and can sit for several days without making a single movement.

Puma hunts deer and elk, and also likes to eat squirrels, mice, beavers, porcupines, raccoons, rabbits, muskrats, armadillos, crocodiles. In the event of a lack of food, the Florida cougar may attack poultry and livestock.

These animals mate during the breeding season and only those animals that have their own patches breed. The breeding season lasts from December to March. The female's pregnancy lasts up to ninety-five days. It is born during childbirth from two to six kittens. After ten days, wild kittens open their eyes. At the same time, teeth erupt and ears open. When the kittens are one and a half months old, the mother begins to feed them with solid food. Young wild cats stay with mother until 15-26 months.

The Florida cougar is an endangered species because locals they hunt cougars because they attack livestock and exterminate it. Previously, in the United States of America, a large premium was paid for one killed cougar. Now in many states hunting for this animal is limited.

It can be added that the closest relatives of this animal are the jaguarundi and the extinct North American genus Miracinonyx.