What factors affect the carrying capacity of the Florida panther? Objective In this activity, students will: 1. Discuss factors that might limit a species’ population size in an area and develop hypotheses. 2. Play multiple rounds of panther population simulations as limiting factors to carrying capacity are manipulated 3. Record results and interpret the effects of limiting factors on carrying capacity Background Florida panthers roamed the entire Southeast United States long before Europeans settled here. They had a large, healthy population that was limited in size by the amount food, water Duration: 90 Minutes.