Florida panther is the exact same critter as a cougar a/k/a mountain lion a/k/a Puma concolor, complete with the characteristic massively long thick tail, and that shark would look much, much smaller in a panther’s jaws. The FL panther’s been named a subspecies of Puma concolor not because it is really any different so much as to take advantage of the endangered species act, etc, in order to use it as a poster child for saving the Everglades. Saving cypress domes to protect a unique tree snail or bug will not be as effective a campaign politically and emotionally as “saving the panther,” nevermind that Puma concolor is not only not endangered in the west but is often considered a pest.
FL panther’s fur isn’t as plush and they’re inbred from being cut off from the rest of the cougar population since the cougar was once exterminated from most of the eastern US [except for Florida], but it in no way do they remotely resemble this bobcat. In fact the desperation by some greenies to protect it as a subspecies did it harm, as they blocked efforts to bring in fresh DNA by importing western mountain lions, making the remaining “panthers” continue to inbreed and thus more susceptible to genetic disorders. [I think common sense has since prevailed and some western blood has been brought in from Texas.]
The first chance they get they will breed freely again with “mountain lions” if the species ever recovers enough for the range to expand into Florida, which it may, as they are appearing again in the Ozarks. There are less reliable sightings in Alabama, but it’s possible they are real and getting closer.
Well, got back with FL wildlife officers— they say— really dang big bobcat, and an old one to be going “fishing” instead of finding rabbits, squirrels etc.
So, good job.
Have you heard about Mexican jaguars migrating up into TX, AZ and NM? This is some stunning thing to be happening. Imagine on a hike in AZ and come across a freaking jaguar!
Like in Vietnam when in deep jungle some soldiers ran into— tigers. Whoah.