Black Panther
The black panther is a commonly used name for a black specimen of a varied number of species. Typically the term panther. Usually in North America the term panther, will refer to the cougar or mountain lion.
In Central America, this term will usually mean a Jaguar, and in other parts of the world it is used to refer to the leopard. In the Jaguar, this color mutation is caused by a dominant gene, while in the leopard it is because of a recessive gene.
If looked at closely, you can still see faint spotted markings that are typical of the normally colored cats, they are just covered over by the excess of black pigment in the fur. White panthers do exist also, but are extremely rare.
Black Jaguar
Panthers with this condition have no problem living with siblings that are normally pigmented, actually since these cats hunt almost exclusively at night, this particular pigmentation is probably a great help.
The habits of these cats are exactly like those of the normal colored specimens. The most common form of black panther is the leopard and they have been used for years as animal exhibits and bred for exotic pets.
Such inbreeding has led to an all effect in the temperament of these animals, sometimes making them so aggressive that they must be destroyed. This is a sad reminder that with the care of anything comes a great responsibility.
Black leopards are said to inhabit the most densely forested areas of China, Assam, Nepal, and Myanmar, and in parts of the Malay peninsula they may number more than the spotted leopard.
In the U.S. Black cougars have been reported in Kentucky, and also reports of glossy black cougars have come in from Kansas and Eastern Nebraska. No accounts have ever been truly documented however, so many believe that this is a case of mistaken identity.
Black Leopard
A few black bobcats have been documented in Florida, in 1941, pictures were published of two cats caught in Martin county around 1939 and 1940.
These were described as black but upon examination they appear to be more of a dark chocolate brown, though this seems to be splitting hairs. The facial stripes of most of the melanistic animals can be seen quite clearly and they tend to have a lighter underbelly.
With the larger cats this may be helpful, because when hunting from trees, if the prey looks up the undercoating would blend in somewhat with any rays of sun.
Find out more about the Black Panther over at Wikipedia »
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black panthers have ben in NC. and outher close by states for hundreds o year.i rember back in the late 70s my ant and here to kids went out the spring to get some water. just before she stared to dip in the water we boyh saw at the same time a reflecthion of a panther in the water. that sent cold chills down my spine. as i looked up it was siting on the bank above the spring. it was ablack panther we got to the house as fast as we could backing up i was not going to take my eyes of of it . i spend a lot of time in the moutains of barnardsville and over the years since i was 16, i have seen 6 cats close enough to they were black panthers . i still find tracks in the snow somethings and i sat and watched to cougers one afternoon in a field.where i grew up. north of asheville there here and have always ben here you cant see them unless you spend a lot of time in the moutains. i saw one black panther in hot springs while deer hunting here in NC. no matter what anyone says i have seen them several times the are here and have ben for a long time i can rember my father telling me how one would hit the pourch just as he closed the door . i have sit and listen at them growel and grown and sound like there saying momma at the same time there is outher things i could tell you if i had time about the black panthers i have come a cross while growing up in the moutains.
I also personally saw a black panther where I live in southwestern Ontario.
It happened weeks ago.
I did not report it.
I want to conserve it , not kill it.
It was laying low in the tall weeds.
I did know it was there.
It took of when I was walking, and came about 6 feet away from it.
What a massively fast, strong, powerful creature!
One of the best experiences in my life.
I saw a huge all black cat about the size of a German Shepard dog run across the road in front of my car today in NC near Elizabethtown. It took 4 bounds to get across 2 lanes and ran into the woods. Its tail was almost as long as its body.
i think its good that people care about the big cats like the blackjaguar
They also do still remain in the state of Florida. About ten years ago, as a child, I had an encounter with one in a wooded area in middle Florida. It was clear to me that the animal had just made a kill and finished eating and was grooming itself. It never took its’ eyes off of me. I backed away slowly (did not DARE run) and went inside. I have never been more terrified in my life! Beautiful creature though; I feel lucky to have experienced that and lived to tell the tale!
My grandfather seen one on our ranch in california..we live in the valley at the base of the foothills. He was looking out the back of the property over the creek and a black cougar (or we call them mountain lions) was walking across the field. The sun glimmered off it’s back and it walked across 5 acres before it disapeared at the backside of the creek. THis was in oakdale, CA! We have never seen one since.
TRUE STORY!