Mammals · Felidae

Panthers

Panthera (genus)

Florida Panther Endangered

"Panther" is a common name applied to melanistic (black-coated) leopards and jaguars, as well as to the Florida panther, a subspecies of cougar. The dark coloring comes from a genetic condition, not a separate species.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus: Panthera (or Puma for the Florida panther)

Size

Varies by species — a melanistic leopard or jaguar shares the size of its species; the Florida panther (a cougar subspecies) runs 6-7 ft long and 65-160 lbs.

Habitat

Rainforests and swamps of Asia, Africa, and South America (black leopards/jaguars); the Florida panther is restricted to a small area of southern Florida.

Description

A solid black coat that still shows the faint rosette pattern of the species underneath in bright light — a condition called melanism.

Diet

Same as their species — deer, wild boar, and other medium-to-large mammals.

Behavior

Solitary and territorial, like other big cats.

Conservation

The Florida panther is one of the most endangered mammals in North America, with a small, isolated population.

Life Span

10-20 years depending on species.

Did You Know?

A "black panther" is not its own species — it is a melanistic leopard or jaguar, a color variant caused by a recessive gene.