Panthers

Panther is a common name used for melanistic individuals of two big cats in the genus Panthera: leopards (Panthera pardus) in Africa and Asia and jaguars (Panthera onca) in the Americas. The term is also used in popular culture and in some languages to refer to large cats in general; scientifically, panther is not a distinct species.

Melanism produces a dark coat that can appear nearly black; the underlying rosettes or spots may be visible on close inspection or under certain lighting. Melanistic individuals are more commonly observed in forested habitats where their dark coloration provides camouflage, but panthers can occur in a variety of environments.

Leopards are widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, parts of the Middle East and Asia, while jaguars are native to the Americas, from the southwestern United States to northern Argentina. Black panthers occur in both species, with the dark coloration arising from genetic variation that affects pigment production.

Panthers are solitary and territorial; they are skilled climbers and swimmers. They hunt by ambush and have a varied diet that includes deer, capybara, peccaries, primates, and smaller mammals, depending on location and opportunity.

Reproduction involves a gestation of about 90 to 110 days, with litters of 2 to 4 cubs that stay with the mother for up to two years. Cubs are vulnerable to predation and may face high mortality in the wild.

Conservation: habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict threaten both leopards and jaguars. They occur in a range of protected areas and are protected by law in many countries, but regional population trends vary.