Black panther

A black panther is a melanistic colour variant of either the leopard (Panthera pardus) or the jaguar (Panthera onca). Its dark coat results from excess black pigment, although the usual rosettes remain present. Black leopards occur in Africa and Asia, while black jaguars occur in Central and South America. Melanism is caused by a recessive allele in leopards and a dominant allele in jaguars.

Colour form

Melanistic variant of leopard and jaguar

Typical habitat

Mostly tropical forests

Melanism genetics

Recessive in leopards, dominant in jaguars