Florida Puma (Puma concolor coryi) - the rarest subspecies of cougar. Its number in the wild in 2011 was just over 160 individuals (as in the 1970s, dropped to about 20 individuals). It dwells in the forests and swamps of southern Florida (USA), mainly in the area of the reserve Big Cypress National Preserve, formerly was distributed from eastern Texas to the southeastern states. The reason for its extinction was mainly inning, sport hunting, poisoning and the scarcity of genetic material, leading to inbreeding. The Florida panther has a relatively small size and high legs. Coat color is darker, reddish. As a result of inbreeding individuals of this subspecies got bent the tip of the tail. There are plans for mating with the Florida cougars cougars of other subspecies to create a sustainable self-regulating population.
Its main prey - deer. Food it can serve as coyotes, armadillos, porcupines, prairie dogs, anteaters, marmots, small birds, bird eggs. Female bears from 1 to 3 cubs. Pregnancy lasts 90-100 days. In the wild live up to 20 years.
The only cougar subspecies is listed in the IUCN Red List with the status "in critical condition» (critically endangered).
Need to allocate funds from the state budget for the reintroduction Florida Puma.
