Florida Panther

Our current animal is the Florida Panther. The Florida Panther is the Florida state animal and also one of the most endangered mammal in the world.

Height- 23-27 inches at the shoulder for males; females are smaller

Length- 7 feet from nose to tip of tail for males; 6 feet for females

Weight- males average 130 lbs; females 70-75 lbs

Lifespan- 10-15 year

Their diet contains mostly white-tailed deer. they are also known to eat feral hog, rabbit, raccoon, armadillo and birds. When people who live near panthers leave their pets and small livestock out in the open at night, the panthers would take them without hesitation.

Giant Panda

Our next animal is the Giant Panda.

Order: Carnivora

Family: Ursidae

Genus and species: Ailuropoda melanoleuca

The giant panda, a black-and-white "bear", has a body typical of bears. It has black fur on its ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs, and shoulders. The rest of the animal's coat is white. Although scientists do not know why these unusual bears are black and white, some think that the bold coloring provides effective camouflage into their shade-dappled snowy and rocky surroundings. The panda's thick, wooly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat. Giant pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing tough bamboo. Many people find these chunky, lumbering animals to be cute, but giant pandas can be as dangerous as any other type of bear.