Last updated: August 8, 2025
Lesson Plan
A Year in the Life of a Panther
In Lesson 6 of Living with Wildlife students will learn about what a Year in the Life of a Panther looks like! Students will discover how far panthers will travel, what they need to survive, and explore the differences between living as a male and female panther!
NPS Graphic
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Science
- Lesson Duration:
- 90 Minutes
- State Standards:
- SC.7.N.1.5
SC.7.L.17.2
SC.7.L.17.3
SC.7.E.6.6
Essential Question
How large of a territory do panthers use throughout the year?
Objective
In this activity, students will:
1. Plot the monthly movements of male and female panthers on a map.
2. Compare the movements and activities between male and female panthers.
3. Calculate the total distance traveled by male and female panthers during a year.
4. Explain the habitat requirements for Florida panthers.
5. Explain why home range size varies among wildlife species.
6. Describe how barriers, both natural and manmade, affect how panthers roam.
Background
Animals that live in Florida have specific habitat needs for survival. Florida panthers are large, apex predators that use a variety of forested and open habitats, called a habitat mosaic, to meet their needs. Florida panthers require water, food and cover within their habitat. White-tailed deer are a main food source for the carnivorous Florida panther, though panthers will also eat feral hogs and a number of other animals. Food availability and cover helps determine where Florida panthers range and how much space they need. The area of habitat that a panther uses regularly throughout a year is known as its home range.
Home range size varies between individual panthers and varies greatly between male and female panthers. Female panthers typically need 60-75 square miles and males need 160-200 square miles. 200 square miles is equal to a rectangle that measures 10 by 20 miles. Young male panthers often range far and wide compared to older, established males and females as they disperse to new areas in search of territory and females.
As panthers roam, they encounter barriers that prevent them from traveling further. Barriers can be natural or can be created by people. In South Florida, the Caloosahatchee River is a natural barrier that makes it difficult for panthers to reach the land on the north side. Unsuitable habitat can also act as a natural barrier. In today’s populated South Florida, panthers also encounter manmade barriers to travel. Fenced roads and highways as well as unsuitable urban centers can act as barriers.
Roads are not always barriers as many are easy to cross by panthers. The home range of almost every panther in South Florida includes roads within it. While crossing roads, panthers are often struck by vehicles, and this is the leading cause of known panther deaths. In order to decrease the number of panthers killed on roads, the department of transportation in cooperation with state and federal agencies have built a number of wildlife crossings below or above roads to allow panthers to cross safely. The future of the Florida panther will depend on our ability to allow for safe movement across their home ranges. This can also be done by linking suitable habitat areas together via wildlife corridors, or crossable links between larger areas of habitat. With our help, the panther will be able to safely roam across South Florida and beyond.
Preparation
Prepare copies of the home range maps, clue sheets, and worksheets for students.
Each pair of students will need:
• Home Range Map
• Clue Sheet
• Worksheet
• Calculator (optional)
Procedure
1. Introduce this lesson by asking students how far they travel throughout their day, their week, and their year. Introduce the term home range and explain that it is measured in square miles. Compare the student’s home ranges and discuss the concept that large animals tend to have larger home ranges than smaller animals. Ask students what they may already know about the panther’s home range. Does the home range for male and female panthers differ?
2. Introduce the students to the map by comparing it to a treasure map. Show them the cardinal directions and scale. Explain that they will work in pairs to read 2 sets of clues and draw a map of where a male and a female panther go throughout a year.
3. Divide the students into pairs, and give each pair a home range map, male and female clue sheets, a worksheet, and colored pencils.
4. Explain to students that one student will read the male clue sheet while the other student draws in the movements of the panther on the home range sheet. Panthers typically don’t walk in straight lines, so students should draw curvy lines between the destinations on the home range map. After they complete the year, the students will switch roles and repeat for the female panther. Make sure students use a different colored pencil for the male and female and make note of colors used on their maps.
5. After students have completed their maps, they will answer the questions on their worksheets. When students have completed the worksheet, have a class discussion about the answers.
6. Conclude the lesson by discussing that panthers need space to hunt and roam and a suitable habitat mosaic to find food and water throughout the year. Discuss the impacts of human development on the panther’s life, issues with crossing roads, and depredation in neighborhoods. Discuss the limited amount of space here in South Florida as a limiting factor in how many panthers it can support.
Vocabulary
Home range, habitat mosaic, wildlife corridors, square miles, barriers, wildlife crossings