Most of us share our living space with wild animals. We often see squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, opossums, and the occasional deer.
If you live in a more rural area, you may run across a different variety of creatures.
Not all wild animals are scared of humans, and that is why we have wildlife rescue groups who can come and get the curious animals to safety.
Phil Hendra’s dogs were barking up a storm one day, and Phil finally went to see what was going on.
To his utter amazement, there was a Florida panther sitting calmly on his back deck!
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Phil ran and grabbed his camera and starting snapping photos.
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The clicking sound made the big cat turn her head! YIKES!
But, the cat didn’t budge, she didn’t seem to mind Phil at all.
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She was enjoying the view!
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After a few more minutes, the panther just got up and left.
Phil and his family haven’t seen her again, but they keep a wary eye out.
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According to Defenders of Wildlife, the Florida panther is also known as a cougar, puma, mountain lion, and panther.
Florida panthers are now critically endangered, with only 100-180 adults living in South Florida.
Panthers typically range across the southeastern United States, but now the breeding pairs have only been seen in southern Florida.
The diet of the Florida panther is primarily deer, but they will also hunt birds, raccoons, rabbits, and armadillo.
Thankfully, Phil was able to get images of this beautiful creature, let us hope she is alive and well.
Share away, people!