So much for playing possum.
Florida panthers are often considered “rare sightings” in the sunshine state. Mature panthers typically can be over six feet long and stand over two feet tall. They usually weigh anywhere between 70 and 150 pounds, depending on the panther’s gender.
Florida’s famous big cat is categorized in the “critically endangered” level, meaning that the species’ population decline is greater than 80 to 90 percent. With their total numbers dwindling, Florida panthers are being seen less and less out in the wild.
They mainly live along the Gulf Coast of Florida now, and when occasional videos of the rare, elusive creatures are captured, they’re a big deal. They typically surface online, like this clip out of the Collier County, Florida area. The particular panther in this footage seems to be a little less mature than one that would be full grown. If I’m right in my assumption, it would make sense that this encounter with a possum didn’t exactly go as planned… at least I think it didn’t go as planned.
The video, originally taken by Dick Brewer, was shared by Matt Devitt of WINK Weather on Facebook. Just as a side note, if you like staying up to date on crazy things happening in the “Sunshine State,” you’ve got to follow Matt Devitt on socials. He’s a great follow, and is always posting about the most unbelievable Florida stories.
In this one, an unsuspecting possum was wondering around in the wilderness and simply couldn’t be bothered. Florida panther right behind it? Who cares! This possum certainly didn’t, and just kept waddling around seemingly searching for something to snack on. It was only when the marsupial just so happened to turn around that it locked eyes with the intimidating apex predator.
That’s the funny part about this video… the Florida panther could have unleashed its wrath at any moment. Instead, the big cat curiously observed for a while, even eventually popping a squat to watch the possum sniff around on the ground. Possums are known to have bad eye sight during the day, but they’re supposed to boast excellent night vision capabilities.
Maybe this particular possum is the exception?
It certainly seemed like it couldn’t see, hear, or sense that the Florida panther was right behind it. Luckily for the unsuspecting possum, the big cat didn’t seem interested in making a meal out of the marsupial – even though Florida panthers are known to snack on possums every now and then.
As the caption of the video states, all they did was face off for a few moments while flashing their pearly whites at one another:
“Florida Panther and opossum encounter caught on camera recently in Collier County. Even though they showed their teeth, both eventually went on their way.”
Might be the nicest wild cat I’ve ever seen.
Who’s to say why the Florida panther didn’t pounce on the smaller creature? It certainly seemed to me that the big cat was more mesmerized than appetized by the possum… maybe it was the first time it had ever seen one? Possums are rather interesting looking beings, so maybe we’ll give the panther the benefit of the doubt.
Those on social media that came across the clip loved the interaction that didn’t end with one animal becoming a meal for the other, though they did point out that the possum needs to be counting its blessings after this close call:
“This opossum has zero situational awareness.”
“Lesson learned… Florida panthers don’t like possum meat.”
“Opossum just wasn’t on the menu that evening.”
“They were just showing off to see who has the better dental hygiene.”
“The possum clearly had zero bleeps to give.”
“That is one lucky possum.”
