Panther habitat has been degraded by invasion of nonnative plants, fire suppression, and hydrologic modifications. Nonnative plants such as melaleuca and Brazilian pepper pose a threat to panthers by reducing the amount of food
A complex of canals, dikes, and water control structures manages the flow of water in south Florida. Forty percent of the historic Everglades has been lost to urban and suburban development and agriculture (VanArman et al. 1998). Today in the undeveloped parts of south Florida, there is more water in the wet season and less water in the dry season. During the wet season excess water, which used to flow over all of the Everglades, is pumped away from residential and agricultural areas. During the dry season, water needed in the Everglades is pumped to cities and to farms for irrigation. Excess water may cause trees on hammocks (a preferred spot for panthers) to rot and die, deer may drown, and raccoons may be unable to find food. Excess water may also limit the range of the panther and inhibit its ability to find food. Extreme dry conditions may decrease the amount of food available to deer, hogs, and raccoons.  Habitat Fragmentation  Back to Top  Inbreeding | |||
