Black Panther vs Leopard: What's The Difference

By: NDTVNewsDesk

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A black panther is not a distinct species. It's a leopard or jaguar exhibiting melanism.

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This genetic condition results in excess black pigment. The key difference is the colour, not the species.

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Essentially, a black panther is a leopard or jaguar with a dark coat, while a typical leopard has a spotted coat.

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Both black panthers and leopards belong to the same species, Panthera pardus (leopard) or Panthera onca (jaguar).

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Leopards typically have a light-coloured coat with distinctive black spots or rosettes, while black panthers have a dark, almost black coat.

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Leopards are found in Africa and Asia, while jaguars are found in the Americas.

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Black panthers can be either melanistic leopards (in Africa and Asia) or melanistic jaguars (in Central and South America).

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It's crucial to understand that a black panther is not a distinct species. It's a variation within existing species.

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