Are there panthers in south carolina

But most of the purported sightings turn out to be pictures of bobcats, house cats where gauging the size of the animal being photographed is difficult, or even hoaxes. Federal biologists have reached the same conclusion, and in the Eastern cougar was removed from the federal endangered species list after a detailed, multi-year analysis had found the animal to be extinct. The last recorded sightings of Eastern cougars are believed to be from Maine in and New Brunswick, Canada, in , according to the U.

But that doesn't mean all hope is lost in seeing big cats back in North Carolina. Similar to what's happened in recent decades with the coyote, Western mountain lions are slowly moving east to fill in the predatorial gap at the top of the food chain.

Mountain lions have been caught on camera in Indiana, and Tennessee wildlife officials maintain a map that shows confirmed cougar sightings , including at least half-dozen within roughly miles of Asheville. A small population of wild cougars also lives in Southern Florida. The highly endangered Florida panther, which is genetically distinct from the Eastern and Western mountain lion, is estimated to consist of animals, almost all centered in southwestern Florida near Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park.

Young male panthers have been known to travel as far north as Georgia in search of new territory and mates, but Owens said it's unlikely they could make it as far north as North Carolina. That doesn't mean, however, mountain lions haven't been found in North Carolina since then.

Big cats, like other exotic animals, aren't regulated and allowed to be kept as pets in the state. Bobcats are much smaller, but roughly twice the size of a housecat, weighing up to 40 pounds once full grown. Its fur is short, thick, and soft, ranging in color from light brown to reddish brown, and is usually spotted.

There are patches of white on the back of the ears. The most distinguishing feature of the bobcat, and its name sake, is its short tail. Bobcat captured on an eMammal camera trap. Notice the shorter "bobbed" tail and overall smaller size. Believe it or not, house cats are also mistaken for mountain lions.

House cats can be similar in coloring to a cougar and have long tails; however, they are much, much smaller. House cats captured on camera trap in Raleigh. House cats are much, much smaller than cougars. Think you're ready to identify a cougar? Take this quiz to test your skills on spotting a cougar among the other cats.

Authors: Alexus Berndt and Stephanie Schuttler. Skip to main content. This page is Public Public. The climate here just can't support a wild population or even a lone animal for very long when winter hits.

Are there cougars in Western North Carolina? Western cougars are on exhibit in wildlife habitats at Grandfather Mountain near Linville, N. Eastern cougars, virtually identical to their western cousins, once roamed the North Carolina mountains but have officially been declared extinct in the wild.

Are there jaguars in North Carolina? Other possibilities suggest black jaguars or leopards, which might have strayed north from Central America or escaped from private owners.

Are there moose in North Carolina? Its 1, animals, representing more than species, hail from two continents - Africa and, yes, North America - and they include some American elk, themselves humongous members of the deer family. But the North Carolina Zoo has none of the species' largest members - moose.

What predators live in North Carolina? Bobcat, Lynx rufus. Red fox, Vulpes vulpes. Gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus. Coyote, Canis latrans. Red wolf, Canis rufus.

American black bear, Ursus americanus. Raccoon, Procyon lotor. Long-tailed weasel, Mustela frenata. What dangerous animals live in North Carolina? Black Bears. Cottonmouth or Water Moccassin. Southern Black Widow. Brown Recluse.