Q:
How many black panthers are left in the world?
A:
Quick Answer
No source can accurately estimate the number of black panthers in the world because the black panther is not a single species. It is an uncommon color variety that exists in several large cat species. The most common black panthers are leopards or jaguars.
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Full Answer
All black panthers receive their coloration from a genetic trait called melanism that causes excess black pigment or melanin. A dominant trait causes melanism in jaguars, and a recessive trait causes it in leopards. Being melanistic may give big cats a hunting advantage in the forest or jungle because black cats are harder to see in dark, dense environments.
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