Ok, so Jaguars were very present in Flordia until humans wiped them out. Not only are they a natural creature that could hunt invasive species such as Boas and Boars, but they would also fill an important role as a natural apex predator on land.
Ok, so Jaguars were very present in Flordia until humans wiped them out. Not only are they a natural creature that could hunt invasive species such as Boas and Boars, but they would also fill an important role as a natural apex predator on land.
The video I referenced said there were only 20-30 left in the 70s, and with heavy support, they are up to 200.
Oh. I forgot how confusing the name is lol. When I read jaguar I think “spotted cat”, Florida panthers are Puma not Panthera.
For what it’s worth, I have seen a melanistic jaguar in Florida at a wildlife refuge
Apparently the North American Jaguar went extinct like 7000 years ago. So now it’s just Florida Panthers (puma as you said) and bobcats, which I think might be lynx related? Not sure. I know I used to see those down in wekiwa near the springs/hiking trails.
They are a lynx species but they don’t have the stereotypical long tufts on their ears like most people think of. They are relatively common to see even in suburban areas in Fl
Yeah I grew up in Central Florida years ago, but didn’t know much of what a lynx looked like so I just assumed similar to a bobcat, haha. There used to be a camping spot called camp cozy 2 or 3 miles down the trail that was a half mile from any other campsite. Would go out there whenever I could get a work group together, but seeing wildlife was common. You’d get black bears standing on their hind legs hiding behind trees to peak at your campsite and figure out what’s going on. Also when it’s hot and muggy, the springs feel cold as all hell so it’s a great relief.
Yes, the video that inspired the meme states Red Wolves and reintroducing Panthers would be the safest way. But im taking the extreme third option xD. Also, I believe Bobcats are the northern sub species of Lynx or vice versa.