Panther Habitat Use in Southern Florida
Belden RC, Frankenberger WB, Mcbride RT, Schwikert ST. 1987. Panther Habitat Use in Southern Florida
Six panthers were captured in southern Florida and radio-located 1,630 times from February 1981 through August 1983. Mean home area for 4 males was 435 + 231 km2 and for 2 females 202 + 141 km2. Mixed swamp forest and hammock forests were used more than expected based on the availability of these habitat types within the panthers' home areas. Based on the amount of this “preferred panther habitat" available, the estimated carrying capacity in south Florida probably is between 30 and 40 panthers. The major factor limiting the panther population in south Florida appears to be availability of suitable habitat.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Belden, Robert; Frankenberger, William; Mcbride, Roy; Schwikert, Stephen
- Date of Issue
- 1987-05
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- Felis concolor coryi, Florida panther, Habitat Preferences, home areas, Mountain Lion, Radio-Telemetry