[Hotflash-in-SC]

Hi, all. I'm a TV wannabe and I currently live in SC with a husband who is "undecided" about moving. I have a million questions but have one that is currently most pressing.

I have found a preowned house I love in Village of Tierra del Sol and it is on the Mark Gary Morse Wildlife Preserve. My husband is concerned that there will be creatures unknown coming out of there and invading our home, if we choose to purchase. I just think it would be incrediably quiet and peaceful with an occasional snake or field mouse.

Does anyone know the answer about this area and its inhabitants?

Any answers would be appreciated...RO

[golfnut]

I've spoken with several people who live on a preserve and they all love it, they see a lot of widlife and none has complained about unwanted animals or critters...GN

[Barefoot]

Two years ago someone that lives on the preserve in back of San Marino Drive told me that she had seen a black panther in her backyard on two occasions. And that there are gators from time to time. Of course, anywhere with water can have gators.

If you have small dogs I'd be very careful. Otherwise, I think any wildlife would respect the human species.

[chuckinca]

Black panther must have escaped from some zoo; don't think they are native to Fla.

.

[deano_hoosier]

Many of the houses that front this nature preserve are mapped in a 100 year flood zone. Just something to take into your consideration. See the linked website for additional information from the Sumter County Geographic Information service:

http://sumtergis.com/gis/

You'll have to search using the address and then find the button that shows the 100 year flood zone to see the results.

[Army Guy]

They are called Flordia Panthers and are very rare and endangered speicies (sp?). We saw two over the past several years on Edisto Island, SC. They range up the east coast from FL to the Carolina's. They prefer wetlands, swamp, coastal bogs, etc.

Army Guy

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by Army Guy

They are called Flordia Panthers and are very rare and endangered speicies (sp?). We saw two over the past several years on Edisto Island, SC. They range up the east coast from FL to the Carolina's. They prefer wetlands, swamp, coastal bogs, etc.

Army Guy

Are they black? The search I did on Florida Panthers brought up a beige/brown animal. I know in the deep Everglades near where Flamingo is there are warning signs about bears and panthers. I can't imagine they are in a highly populated area like TV, but who knows.

[GMONEY]

Maybe a overwieght black cat on steriods, but not a blank panther, unless the circus is in town and let one out. But not a chance.
they have caught bobcats in the past, but i dont think no where near here .

If you do see a Black Panther, Think only one thing, RUN!!

Here's the answer to the black panther question according to the Florida Panther Society:

Is there a “Black Panther”?

The term 'Black Panther' is quite often used in connection with large black cats - however there is no one distinct species of wildcat called a 'Black Panther'. Over the years it has become used as a common name that can be applied to any large black-coated cat. When you see a picture of a 'Black Panther' it is most likely that you are looking at either a Leopard or possibly a Jaguar with Melanistic coloration.

The term Melanistic is derived from melanin, a dark colored skin and hair pigment. In cats, melanism results in the fur of the animal being very dark or black in color. In many cases the usual markings of the animal can be faintly seen through the dark fur, especially at certain angles in bright sunlight. Melanistic cats are commonly born into mixed litters along with normally colored siblings.

(Note: There is no documented evidence of the existence of a melanistic Florida Panther.)

[Fourpar]

The Florida Panther is in fact, our State Animal. You can google Florida Panther for more detailed info on this endangered species. Probably are some darker than others, and someone could easily think they saw a "black" one...

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by Julie

Here's the answer to the black panther question according to the Florida Panther Society:

Is there a “Black Panther”?

The term 'Black Panther' is quite often used in connection with large black cats - however there is no one distinct species of wildcat called a 'Black Panther'. Over the years it has become used as a common name that can be applied to any large black-coated cat. When you see a picture of a 'Black Panther' it is most likely that you are looking at either a Leopard or possibly a Jaguar with Melanistic coloration.

The term Melanistic is derived from melanin, a dark colored skin and hair pigment. In cats, melanism results in the fur of the animal being very dark or black in color. In many cases the usual markings of the animal can be faintly seen through the dark fur, especially at certain angles in bright sunlight. Melanistic cats are commonly born into mixed litters along with normally colored siblings.

(Note: There is no documented evidence of the existence of a melanistic Florida Panther.)

Don't believe Leopards or Jaguars are native to Fla either.


.

[PennBF]

Prior to moving to The Villages we lived on Hutchinson Island, (South of the Village about 150 miles). We were on the beach. We had 2 Panthers who moved up and down the beach and they walked up the area just off our balcony in the scrubs just before the sand. It was not unusual. They are in Florida and do wonder around in populated areas.

[duffysmom]

We lived on Huthchinson Island, Florida and there were bob cats which were quite large. Someone told me that they see coytes roaming in some of the southern villages. My village is approximately 5 years old and I have never seen a squirrel and have few birds but this morning I did see a cardinal for the first time. Wildlife of any kind is rare unless you visit the squares. We did have a flock of mourning doves but unfortunately a stray cat ate them. Mother nature can be quite cruel and paving over thousands of acres doesn't help.

[swrinfla]

All this talk about panthers and such doesn't really answer Hotflash's question - probably only feeds her husband's view of living on a wildlife area.

The Morse family (that is, of course, The Developer) have a very good reputation for leaving wild places and water places for the wild things. There are preserves and swamps and marshes all through TV.

And, I'm sure there are such critters as coyotes (or wolves or similar), maybe even "cats," but as long as the Humans don't bother them, they won't bother the Humans.

Hotflash: I'd rest easy and simply enjoy every minute of your life on the edges of the Preserve!

Welcome to TOTV. A little research will answer almost any question you can come up with.

SWR