The leopard is often referred to as the Florida leopard and has some very interesting body features. This cat has a face like a little lion but has a short tail like a bunny tail. Here are the surprises and interesting things about this cheetah.
Classification issue
In the past, the Florida leopard was considered a separate subspecies, one of 32 recognized subspecies. Hunting of these animals was banned in 1958, and in 1967 the US Fish and Wildlife Service classified this subspecies as threatened. They were added to the official endangered species list in 1973.
Based on genetic studies, many leopard subspecies are too similar to a separate taxonomic group. Therefore, it was proposed to reclassify them as puma Puma concolor, including Florida newspapers.
Research published in the third edition of a scientific publication titled “Mammals of the World” states that the Florida leopard is not a distinct subspecies of the leopard breed. Even so, it is still described as Puma concolor coryi in research work, as well as in work related to animal welfare.
Threats
The Florida leopard subspecies has been listed as Endangered. The biggest threats to them include their natural predator, the American alligator. Poachers and habitat degradation have also drastically reduced the numbers.
Excessive hunting has caused enormous havoc; Today’s Florida newspaper count is just a small isolated group, in which inbreeding (closely related interpersonal reproduction) is a common occurrence leading to genetic diseases. Characteristic curved tail, heart defect, weaker immune system, incorrect testicular position in men causing cancer or infertility.
Vehicle collisions and mutual conflict (to protect territory) are the two leading causes of death with Florida newspaper. However, the White Oak Conservation Foundation has saved many orphaned leopards and brought them back to the natural ecosystem.
South Florida is a fast growing region, with many roads separating females from males, preventing them from mating. However, some persistent men try to cross the street, risking their lives. A large number of cars were stabbed to death during this operation. Another reason for a traffic accident is when the male leopard is looking for territory (to do this, the male has to travel long distances, while the female is usually close to the mother’s territory).
Florida Newspapers and Interesting Facts
The Florida leopard is more closely related to small cats such as lynx and domestic cats than to large cats such as tigers or lions.
Of all the leopard subspecies, the Florida leopard is the least genetically diverse.
In the 1970s the Florida Newspaper population was around 20 individuals, in 2011 it was estimated at 100-160 and 2 years later (2013) there were 160 in the wild.
In 1982, the Florida newspaper was officially recognized as the iconic animal of the state of Florida.
The Florida leopard is one of the most endangered animals on the planet.
