After reading Scat by Carl Hiaasen, one will surely be intrigued by the efforts towards saving the Florida Panther. The novel features Nick and Marta — two students that team up with others to find their missing biology teacher, Ms. Starch. At first, her disappearance has no obvious motives, and another student, Smoke, is suspected due to his previously unruly behavior. However, Ms. Starch writes notes to assert that she voluntarily left for a “family trip.” The students find this strange, since she did not have known family members. 

Later, Nick, Marta, Smoke, and Twilly, an alleged nephew of Ms. Starch, learn that the Red Diamond Energy Company from illegally drilling oil in the Black Vine Swamp. It becomes clear to them that Ms. Starch left because she intended to stop the company because the swamp is home to the endangered Florida Panther. Driven by their passions toward habitat preservation and justice, the young protagonists venture into the swamp to meet up with Ms. Starch and uncover evidence for the company’s illegal acts. 

Scat raises awareness for the endangered Florida Panther, also known as the Puma concolor coryi. The Florida Panther can be found in swamp forests, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks in South Florida. Even though conservation efforts have helped save the Florida Panther from near extinction (with 20 panthers in 1970), there are only around 230 Florida Panthers as of 2017 (F&W Service). The novel has contributed to the public’s consciousness of this species, especially given that the characters working to preserve the species are young people that inspire change within the new generation. 

While Scat only discusses one species, the theme of passion in this novel can inspire us change makers to uncover acts that harm the environment and support the preservation of many different species. Only by direct support will the young people be able to stop habitat and biodiversity loss. 

“Florida Panther.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 11 Jan. 2018, www.fws.gov/refuge/florida_panther/wah/panther.html.

Hiaasen, Carl. Scat. Yearling, 2012.

“The Florida Cougar.” The Nature Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/Florida%20Panther%204000x2200.jpg?crop=0,0,4000,2200&wid=4000&hei=2200&scl=1.0.