Food Habits of Panthers in Southwest Florida

Abstract

We examined the diet of Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) in southwest Florida from 1977 through 1989. Frequency of occurrence in 270 scats indicated wild hog (Sus scrofa) was the most common prey followed by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and 9-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). No seasonal variation in diet was found; however, panthers inhabiting an area of better soils consumed more large prey. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 54(3):420-423 The mountain lion is one of the most widely distributed mammals in the Western Hemisphere. In North America it is most abundant in the western United States (Young and Goldman 1946:12) where most studies of the species have been done. The Florida panther represents the only known bre6ding population in eastern North America. As few as 50 individuals inhabit a rapidly changing landscape covering less than 1.5 x 106 ha primarily in south Florida (Maehr 1990). Inasmuch as food quantity and quality are major determinants of vertebrate homerange size (Mace et al. 1984) and reproductive success (Maehr et al. 1989a), an understanding of panther food habits is essential. Published information about foods of the Florida panther is sparse. Allen and Neill (1954) and Belden and Forrester (1980) each described single observations of stomach contents of panthers from southwest Florida. Our objective was to determine the food habits of Florida panthers and to examine geographic and temporal variation in their diet based on scats and kills collected in southwest Florida. We thank W. B. Frankenberger, S. T. Schwikert, J. E. Carlson, J. R. Price, R. A. Bell, J. J. Kappes, J. C. Roboski, K. C. Alvarez, O. R. Bass, and R. T. McBride for assistance with specimen collection. J. C. Roof, J. W. McCown, R. T. McBride, and M. E. Roelke were particularly helpful in many aspects of field work. The assistance of other personnel from Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Archbold Biological Station, Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Seminole Indian Reservation, and the Collier Companies also is gratefully acknowledged. C. Moore provided statistical assistance. T. H. Logan, T. E. O'Meara, J. L. Schortemeyer, K. A. Logan, and an anonymous reviewer made helpful comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript. J. L. Harris helped with manuscript preparation. This is a contribution of Federal Aid to Endangered Species Program, Florida Endangered Species Project E-l, and the Florida Nongame Trust Fund.