The term ‘Black Panther’ is quite often used in connection with large black cats - or with an African-American organization back in the 60's founded on the concepts of civil rights and self-defense, but I digress... there is no distinct species of wild cat labeled as a Black Panther. It has become a common name to mark any large black coated feline. When you see a photo of a Black Panther it is most likely that you're looking at either a Leopard (Panthera pardus) or possibly a Jaguar with Melanistic coloration. In cats, melanism results in the fur of the animal being very dark or black in colour. In many cases the usual markings of the feline can be faintly seen through the dark fur, especially at certain angles in bright sunlight. Melanism occurs because of a mutation or abnormality of one of the cats genes which is associated with coat coloration and markings. Melanism is hereditary, but is not necessarily passed directly from one generation to the next - it is therefore common to see ‘mixed’ litters with one black cub along side normally coloured brothers and sisters.

Melanisim can also occur in other species of wild cat - black coated caracal, Geoffrey’s cat, margay, bobcat, ocelot, jaguarundi and serval have been noted in the smaller cats as well as occasional mention of the coloration in the larger lion, tiger and cougar.
Melanistic leopards are more commonly found in the dense tropical rain forests of South East Asia - it is thought that the dark coloration acts as better camouflage in the low light conditions of the forest floor, giving the cat an advantage in hunting. If this is the case, it is also possible that a black leopard will also be at an advantage in being able to provide more food for its young and as a result the probability of the melanistic gene being transferred through the population will be greater. Throughout history, the Leopards territory reached from the British Isles to Japan and throughout Asia. Now restricted to Africa and Asia, it has survived, in spite of homo sapien predation.

So great is their stealth Leopards can move through herds of cattle unnoticed. The strongest climber of the Cat Family, the Leopard keep a low profile until they are ready to launch an attack. A smart hunter, Leopards constantly review the situation. They will try one way, change their minds, double back, detour around the prey, and then try again. After making their decision, then with laser-like concentration, Leopards silently stalks his prey. Just before attacking, they deliberately stamp the ground to distract their prey Because of the Leopard's fierce reputation, many people associate them with evil and pride. Egyptians linked Leopards with Set, the Evil beast-headed Egyptian god, brother and murderer of Osiris. Since the Romans used Leopards to kill Christians, they became the Christian "Beast of the Apocalypse"-- a Leopard with seven heads and ten horns. However, in Africa, Leopards hold the power of life and death. Only African royalty, who could wield such power, are allowed to wear leopard skins.