The endangered Florida panther, or Puma concolor coryi, is one of 30 Puma concolor subspecies. They are large, unspotted cats also known as cougars or mountain lions. The animals used to roam as many as eight Southeastern states, but early settlers, fearful for their livestock, went to great lengths to destroy them.

 

Today, the Florida panther is the last puma subspecies living in the eastern U.S. There are estimated to be around 100 of the animals left. The Florida panther remains threatened by human encroachment.