Florida Panther Distribuiton and Conservation Strategy
Maehr DS. Florida Panther Distribuiton and Conservation Strategy. Bureau of Wildlife Research: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
Panther occurrence in south Florida may be a product of landscape island Size as defined by highways, large property ownerships with restricted access and a predominance of undevelopable wetlands. Hardwood hammocks and mixed swamps correlated positively with increasing panther use. Freshwater marsh, cypress swamp, hardwood swamp, and agricultural lands accounted for 62% of the area in panther home ranges. Habitats avoided by panthers included agricultural, barren land, shrub and brush, and dry prairie. The areas most heavily used by panthers occur on private lands and are in need of protection. Twelve private ranches covering 2.357 km2 account for most of this land.