CHAPTER 1: Black Panther (Introduction)
Black Panther is under the Panthera species (compromised of lion, tiger, jaguar, and leopard) that has
melanistic color variant (dark-colored pigment; opposite of albinism). Black Panther can be called
Panther, black leopard which is common in Asia and Africa, and black jaguar which is common in
America.
The black panther, a term that encompasses black leopards and black jaguars, lives mainly in areas
with dense rain forests. Black leopards live in Africa, Central Asia,India and China while black jaguars are
found in Latin America.
The Black Panther is not a distinct species itself but is the general name used to refer to any black
coloured feline of the Big Cat family, most notably Leopards and Jaguars. It is known to be the strongest
climber of all felines because of having strong anatomy and said to adapt well to a variety of habitats
around the world. Despite of being a powerful animal, Black Panthers are considered to be endangered
by many due to the declining numbers of both Leopards and Jaguars throughout much of their natural
ranges.
CHAPTER 2: APPEARANCE OF A BLACK PANTHER
A panther is defined as a melanistic color variant of other species in the Panthera genus, which
includes tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards. A panther appears to be black or dark brown because of
melanism or the development of melanin, a dark-colored pigment in the skin.
Melanism can be a useful evolutionary process. Panther facts show that the darker individuals in a
species are often better camouflaged, and therefore more likely to survive and reproduce. This is
particularly true in certain natural conditions, for example in regions of dense forest with little light,
where instances of melanism are more common.
Panthers have small heads with emerald green eyes and sharp teeth. They also have strong jaws
which help them to eat prey and hunt and also they tend to have hind legs that are both larger and
slightly longer than those at the front for running and climbing tall trees. On closer examination,
panthers have the same markings as their leopard and jaguar peers, with the pattern visible through the
darkness of the coat. This effect is known as “ghost striping”, and has a similar appearance to printed
silk.
CHAPTER 3: GEOGRAPHY
Usually, people assume that a panther is an entirely different species of big cat. However, when we
discuss panther facts, black panther is either jaguar or leopard, depending on the geographic location.
Black Panthers have a big range and natively found on three of the world's continents: Asia, Africa and
streching Central to South America, with their location depending on whether or not it is a black
Leopard or a Black Jaguar.
Black leopards are mostly seen in the hot, dense tropical rainforest of South and Southeast Asia,
especially in southwestern China, Burma, Nepal, southern India, Java, and the southern part of
Malaysia. In Java and Southern Malaysia, black leopards are more common than light-colored leopards.
They are also found in locations with dry and rocky areas of Ethiopi, some dense vegetation areas or
forests such as the slopes of African mountain ranges (Mount Kenya for example), although they are
much less common in these areas.
Black jaguars live throughout much of South and Central America, and in part of Mexico. Although
they are most commonly found in tropical and deciduous forests, the Panther can also be found
inhabiting both marsh and swampland, along with grasslands and even more hostile areas such
as deserts and mountains. They are seen mostly in the dense rainforests of the Amazon Basin; yet, they
also have been found living in the deserts of Mexico as well as high in the mountains of Peru and Bolivia.
CHAPTER 4: PREY
Black panthers can easily hunt preys. Depending on their continental location, black leopards eat
deer, monkeys, wildebeest and rodents, while black jaguars hunt for deer, peccary, monkeys, tapirs,
reptiles, eggs and fish, according to the Defenders of Wildlife organization.
Black leopards are known for their stealthy hunting skills and often hide near tall grasses and
watering holes, sneaking up on antelope, warthogs, cheetah cubs and other animals while they feed.
Many leopards stalk prey from above, pouncing on unsuspecting animals and storing their kills in tree
branches. Due to their great strength and sharp senses, black leopards can catch a wide variety of
animal types, including birds, snakes, baboons and giraffes.
One of the reasons why black jaguars love to stay in water is because to hunt what will they eat.
Jaguars occupy rain forests, swamps, grasslands and deciduous forests where they hunt land and aquatic
animals, according to Defenders of Wildlife. Jaguars have strong crushing jaws and superior swimming
skills, allowing them to take on large animals, such as crocodiles, and small, water-dwelling creatures,
such as frogs, turtles and fish.
CHAPTER 5: PREDATOR
Black panthers are considered a dominant predator at the top of the food chain in their
environments. Despite of this, they can’t avoid getting eaten in the animal kingdom. They are not only
the one who gets hungry.
When black panthers are young, they are hunted by lions, tigers, and other big cats. For the first 2
weeks of young cubs’ life, they are small and blind which makes them to be very vulnerable. Usually,
when the mother is out hunting food, predator attacks upon the den and can threathen the lives of
cubs.
An adult panther can rarely go on an accident while they hunt and when they wander. They can’t
avoid sneaky pythons and anacondas that carry venoms and can shut down a big panther. Sometimes,
they also become a victim of hungry alligators when they wander across the swamps and to catch some
prey.
CHAPTER 6: SOCIALIZATION AND MATING
Panthers only socialize during mating season. There are some intriguing panther facts relating to their
behavior. The panther is a very solitary animal, and usually lives, hunts and travels alone. The one
exception to this rule is during the mating season.
When she is ready to mate, the female panther will leave scent markings for the male to follow, and
also makes a sawing sound to let him know where she is. After they have mated, the pair will rarely stay
together for more than a few days. The age of sexual maturity for the female panther is usually around 2
years, and she will have her first litter at around 2 1/2 years old.
The male panther is also capable of mating at the age of 2 but, because of fierce competition from
older males, does not usually have the opportunity until he is 3 or 4 years old. It is common for fights to
break out among male panthers during mating season.
CHAPER 7: CUBS
Panthers are pregnant for 3 months and can resuls in a litter of 2-4 cubs being born. To avoid
predators, Panthers usually give birth in a safe den. The male plays no part in the raising of panther
cubs, which stay with their mother for almost 2 years.
Cubs are very vulnerable at their first 3 weeks of their lives but can accompany their mother once they
reach a month old. One of the more extraordinary panther facts regards just how quickly these young
panthers learn. After just 2-3 months, the cubs learn to hunt, and by the age of 9 months they are able
to bring down medium-sized prey.
Panther cubs are not always born to panther parents, however. Since the panther color variant is
caused by a dominant gene in jaguars, and a recessive gene in leopards, in either case it can occur in
litters of normal jaguar or leopard cubs. This means that a leopard mother, for example, could give birth
to a litter of both normal spotted leopards, and black leopards (panthers).
CHAPTER 8: BEHAVIOR
Panthers are incredibly quick and strong. To catch a prey such as deer and antelope, they can run at
approximately 60 kilometer per hour. Their hinds also help them to jump high up to 20ft to catch
escaping birds and climbing trees.
Among all felines, panthers are some of the very best at climbing. They use this skill to take
advantage, and uses trees whether for hiding and sleeping in for safety or for ambushing and catching
prey. In addition, their strong jaws enable them to drag heavy prey into the branches of trees in order to
feed safely.
Because of being independent, adult panthers are unlikely to socialize with other panthers because
they prefer to live, hunt, and travel alone. Panthers are said to be a solitary animal unless it is mating
season.
CHAPTER 9: SKILLS
Panthers are excellent swimmer, except for the panther descended from leopards. On the other
hand, panthers descended from jaguars or black jaguars, is a huge fan of water and knows how to swim
One of the more surprising panther facts tells us just how much these creatures like water, unlike
most domestic pet cats. These black jaguars love to swim, and their preferred habitat includes flooded
forests and swampy wetlands. But more than this, they also swim recreationally, and can spend a
significant portion of their time cooling off, swimming, playing and relaxing in water.
Black panthers can also climb trees. Like many of the smaller cats and unlike most of the other big
cats, black panthers are the strongest climbers of the cat family. They developed tree-climbing skills at a
very early age to avoid attack from predators, such as lions and hyenas that threatens their lives. It also
uses this unique skill to pull its kills or carcasses up to a tree.
CHAPTER 10: HUNTING
Black panther’s adaption to diverse environments and other circumstances, distinguished great skills
when it comes to hunting. They can climb trees, hide from preys and predators, swim on bodies of
water, etc. They use these skills to become of the fittest in the animal kingdom.
Panthers take advantage of their color and usually hunt at night. Their color contributes to their
stealth skills so preys can’t easily see them when they’re about to attack. They are cautious and use
every available bushes and rocks to hide themselves and get as close as possible to their prey. They also
use trees to ambush their prey from above
Black panthers use ther front paws to grab their prey and to dash forward and get on top of them. As
soon as the panther catches its prey, it uses its powerful jaw to bite the neck of it and will eventually die.
Sometimes they will cimb trees while carrying their carcass to keep it safe from lions and hyenas.
CHAPTER 11: HABITS
Unique behaviors made black panthers differ from those of other big cats or other pet cats. As
members of the big cat family, black panthers can roar while other small cats, such as house cats,
bobcats, lynx, and cougars, purr but cannot roar.
People rarely see black panthers in the wild because they are elusive animals. Black panthers are
also called “the ghost of the forest” because thay are so stealthy. They use this skill to hunt prey and
hide from predators.
The black panther is also solitary. Other than a female and her cubs, or mating pairs in the breeding
season, these animals seldom stay together because each of them lives and hunts by itself in an area
known as home range (territory). Black panthers communicate with one another with signs and
vocalizations used mostly for maintaining their home ranges as well as for signaling mating partners.
CHAPTER 12: LIFESPAN
Just like other species of cats, black panthers are born with their eyes closed and covered with smoky
gray fur. Survival of young black panther cubs depends on their birth den, so it appears to be crucial for
their mother to choose where will she give birth.
At a young age, they know how to climb trees for defense. When they are 2-3 months old, black
panther cubs follow their mother to hunting fields and starts to learn how to catch a prey. Seven months
after birth, black panther can hunt down medium sized prey.
Fewer than half of black panther cubs still survive at the age of one. Those who do survive become
increasingly independent. By the age of two, almost all young black panthers become fully independent
and have established their own territory or home ranges. They can live about 12 years in the wild and
20 years in captivity.
CHAPTER 13: MYTHOLOGY (http://www.zawadee.com/blog/ca/the-majestic-african-black-panther)
The ancient Romans admired black panthers because it held a certain mystique, and even had a few
imported from Africa for public displays and games. It’s no surprise, that black panthers have secured
their role in mythology and as an important symbol. After all, it’s rare that agility, power, grace and
beauty are all rolled up into one wondrous animal.
Black panthers have played an important role in African mythology, as well. Early Egyptians would
sacrifice panthers to various gods and Egyptian priests wore the skin of the panther.
In the Egyptian Book of the Dead, Pepi the king must pass through the ceiling of heaven by wearing a
black panther skin draped across his shoulders. This signified that he had given up his need for the
earthly realm and was ready to go on to heaven.
CHAPTER 14: SYMBOLIZATION
Many cultures have been fascinated by the symbolism of black panthers. They’ve been thought to
symbolize: The feminine, the dark mother, the dark of the moon; Darkness, death and rebirth from it;
the protector of the universe.
The use of the name, panther, is one of the most popular in United States sports. With teams in
various sporting disciplines incorporating the panther into their name, and as a mascot. Such teams
include the Pittsburg Panthers athletic teams, Carolina Panthers in football, Florida Panthers in ice
hockey, and the Milwaukee Panthers in Basketball.
The use of the panther as a symbol is hardly surprising. These animals have many qualities which are
important in sport, including strength, agility, endurance, ingenuity and competitiveness.
CHAPTER 15: POPULATION
Black panthers are extremely rare in the wild, partly because of genetics but primarily due to loss of
habitat in the form of human activities that hurt our forest or industrial deforestation. Deforestation
reduces the places or territories available for these felines. Humans have industiralized their habitat so
they cannot breed successfully.
People also hunt panthers for their fur, that can be used as decoration, bags,or for other thingsfor big
profit. They also hunt them for adventure and sport. Hunting of panther caused a huge decline on their
population along those with jaguars and leopards. Decline of population means harder for them to
reproduce.
Those situations stated above made panther sensiive and stealthy to people. Panthers avoid people
to avoid butchery. Panthers hide in the vast forest so they are rarely seen . Panthers are alo considered
to be endangered because they are not a distinct species.
CHAPTER 16: THREATS AND HAZARDS
You mustn't forget that the black panther is a dangerous and fierce cat. Its sharp fangs and strong
jaws can easily devour you body. Black panthers won’t attack people unless you threaten it or it’s cub.
Panthers are solitary, quiet and elusive animals, there has never been a panther attack on people.
Big cats such as leopards most often attack humans, perhaps because they are so sensitive. This is still
a rare occurance, however. But if you disturbed them and a leopard see you, you are likely be chased
and have a conflict with it.
You’re children and pets are always at risk if you live in an area where wild animals such as leopards
and jaguars or panthers known to be. Any wild animal can post a threat to every human if it is disturbed.
CHAPTER 17: DISCOVERY
Although genus panthera’s roots remain unclear, it is believed that it originally evolved in Asia.
Subfamilies of Felinae probably where panthera diverged around 10 million years ago. With the help of
technlogy during the last two centuries, biologists and zoologists have learned more facts which helped
to classify panthers.
In 1816 the German naturalist Lorenz Oken was the first person to describe this breed. Considering
the Felidae family as a whole and distinguished and the panthera genus as separate.
On the same year, the British taxonomist Reginald Pocock extended and refined these classifications,
concluding that the genus contained jaguars, leopards, tigers and lions. He came to this conclusion after
studying skulls and skins in London’s Natural History Museum.
CHAPTER 18: RANDOM FACTS
Panther usually doesn’t leave its mother until or unless he is one and half years old. On that age, they
are still learning how to climb trees, how to ambush or hunt a prey. Their mother is teaching them how
to be independent until they reach the right age.
Panthers are only meat eaters or carnivores. They tend to eat anything that moves as long it is not
bigger than them or too strong to catch. They usually eat deers, antelopes, wild goats, monkeys, etc.
Panthers are one of the predators who is on top of the food chain so they are very good on hunting a
prey.
There are only 4 species of cats who can actually roar. These are lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars. It
is included that black panthers are actually leopards or jaguars so it is possible for them to roar.
I copied some of the sentences for credibility, all of this information comes from the internet but I
guarantee that I revised and improved most of the parts. Thank you.
