Twilight settles across the Everglades as the Orlando eco tour experts at Wild Florida prepare for our fourth Fauna Face-Off Friday. This match is sure to be an interesting one as two of Florida’s best-known land mammals square off for a battle of beastly proportions. Fighting in the red corner, weighing in at up to 160 lbs., measuring about 7 ft. long with a reach of 28 in., it’s the one, the only, Gallant Panther, the Florida Advancer! In the blue corner, our challenger lumbers into the weigh station. With a weight of about 450 lbs. and a height of up to 6 ft., it’s the Florida Black Bear, AKA “Goldilocks’ Worst Nightmare.” These two heavyweight hard-hitters are ready to let the fur fly as they gear up for the mammal melee of the century.
As a background to this matchup, despite their disparity in size, the Florida panther and the Florida black bear are very similar in hunting styles and behavior. These elusive mammals are known for stalking their prey from afar, waiting until they’re tired out before they go in for the takedown. Both rely on quick ambushes and careful camouflage to take down their targets. Generally speaking, they leave each other alone, but it seems as though the black bear has stolen one too many of the panther’s cached kills, and the panther is feeling mighty hungry.
The first bell rings, and the round begins. As both of these land dwellers prefer to hunt at night and take cover in the trees, it’s a little difficult to see exactly what’s going on. A glisten of light at each end of the ring indicates both of the contenders are engaging in their long-term stalking tactics. However, as neither are moving, it doesn’t seem particularly effective. Panther takes a careful step to the left, and the black bear follows. A step to the right, and again, his motions are mirrored. Without too much action in this first round, the bell rings and the two fighters regroup for their next turn.
Both black bear and panther need to step it up this round, as the audience members begin to stifle a few yawns. The second bell rings, and the Florida panther is off in a flash, taking to the cover of the tall grass to blend in. The black bear gets ready to charge, keeping a watchful eye out for his opponent--but suddenly, the panther springs out of nowhere onto the bear’s back, aiming to take him down! While his ambush has certainly left the black bear shaken, the bear was able to roll and knock the panther off course, slashing at the air with his mighty claws. The two are locked into serious combat now, and they take their fight once again to the trees--and once again out of the audience’s line of sight.
After a few tense moments, the air reverberating with growls and hisses, the contenders re-emerge, panting and exhausted. As they approach the center of the ring once more, the black bear yawns and stretches, indicating that it’s time for him to prepare for his late fall hibernation. By default, Gallant Panther, the Florida Advancer, has been named the champion!
What a bizarre matchup this has turned out to be! You never know what you’ll get to witness at a Fauna Face-Off match. This fight concludes the first round of matchups between the best of the best of the Everglades. Next week, the victors will reappear for round two. To tune in for the next Face-Off or to book your Orlando eco tour, contact Wild Florida at (866) 532-7167 today.
