Natural fires occur every 1-4 years and probably limit pines from growing.
Dry prairies are only wet after heavy rains.
Wet prairies are typically wet from 50-150 days each year. Reptiles and amphibians abound in wet prairies. Both types are found within the panther's range. Dry prairies are home to the threatened Audubon's crested caracara , the endangered grasshopper sparrow , the burrowing owl , and the gopher tortoise . Much of the dry prairie within the panther's range is used for grazing cattle and some has been converted to citrus, vegetation fields and residential development.