TIL that black panthers aren’t a distinct species - they are jaguars or leopards with “melanism”, the opposite of albinism
TIL that black panthers aren’t a distinct species - they are jaguars or leopards with “melanism”, the opposite of albinism
![](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/21f20703-3449-4218-abdf-f11573581111.jpeg?format=webp&thumbnail=128)
![](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/21f20703-3449-4218-abdf-f11573581111.jpeg?format=webp)
The trait is caused by a recessive allele in the leopard, and a dominant allele in the jaguar.
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why do we say "black panther" if panthers are always black?
45 2 ReplyI guess because one is Pink
166 0 ReplyI think the mountain lion / cougar is sometimes called a panther, too. Like the Florida panther.
The word is a little bit like raptor is used for some birds. It means big cat.
48 2 ReplyI've only ever called them Panthers. Black Panthers are a social/political group.
14 0 ReplyAnd a superhero
8 0 Reply
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