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The Florida Panther
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Mating Behavior Breeding occurs at anytime of year but is most common between November and March. Once the female is no longer in heat (estrous lasts from eight to 11 days), the male leaves the area. Gestation lasts about three months, and the typical litter numbers one or two kittens. A newborn weighs only about a pound. Its eyes do not open for one or two weeks. Teeth begin appearing at about two weeks. Although a young cat can eat meat after six weeks, the mother continues nursing it for about two months. She needs about two years to train a kitten fully in hunting skills.
Chaotic panther family life makes it difficult for any kitten to survive. Males do not assist in supplying food for the young and, as mentioned, have been known to kill and eat young cats. Consequently, the mother must leave her kittens unprotected when she hunts, and she could be gone for two days or more. Male kittens will also be at risk anytime adult male panthers visit the mother for breeding.
When the female is ready to mate again, she leaves her offspring abruptly: she makes a kill for them and departs while they are still feeding. From that point, the youngsters are totally dependent on their own skills for survival. Go To Florida Panther Characteristics Go To Where To See Florida Panthers Return to Natural History Homepage |
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