Black Panther - Classification

There are some confusion and mixed use of the term black panther on various medias including internet. It is the results of historical background, geographical and cultural difference. It is generally agreed that black panther is not a scientific term for a distinct species but is a common name for some big cats with darker skin and black coat. The difference is due to the scope of cats included. Basically, there are three types of definitions or views for the term black panther.

    1. Most Commonly Used Definition (Common View)

    There are only two types of legitimate black panthers which are scientifically recognized. They are black leopard and black jaguar.

    2. Strict Definition (Purist View)

    Black panther only refers to black leopard species � a melanistic variant of spotted leopard.

    3. Crypto-zoological Definition (Broad View)

    The term Black panther is used for any types of big cats with black coat. Other than most commonly accepted black panther animals, black leopard and black jaguar, people also use the term black panther for all look like all-black versions of a cat species such as cougar, puma, tiger, bobcat, lynx, jaguarundi, or even a suspected prehistoric survivor � cave lion, etc.