Panther facts for kids

Panther is a word that people use to describe certain types of large, powerful cats. It's not actually a specific animal species itself! Often, when someone says "panther," they are thinking of a big black cat, but a panther can be different colors too. The word "panther" usually refers to a jaguar or a leopard, especially a black one.

What is a Panther?

The word "panther" is a common name for several large cats. These amazing animals belong to the cat family (called Felidae). Within this family, there are different groups, like subfamilies and genera, which help scientists organize animals based on how closely they are related.

The Big Cat Family Tree

The cats we often call "panthers" are part of a subfamily called Pantherinae. This group includes some of the biggest and most famous wild cats in the world.

The Panthera Genus

Inside the Pantherinae subfamily, there's a special group called the Panthera genus. This is where you'll find the true "big cats" known for their roars!

• Jaguar (Panthera onca): These powerful cats live in the forests and wetlands of South and Central America. They are known for their beautiful spotted coats, which look like rosettes.
• Leopard (Panthera pardus): Leopards are found across Africa and Asia. They are very agile and can climb trees easily, often carrying their prey up into the branches to keep it safe. They also have spotted coats.

The Black Panther

When people talk about a "black panther," they are usually referring to a jaguar or a leopard that has a special genetic change. This change makes their fur very dark, almost completely black. Even though they look solid black, if you look closely in the right light, you can still see their spots! This dark coloring is called melanism. It's like having extra dark pigment in their fur.

Other Cats Called Panthers

Not all cats called "panthers" are part of the Panthera genus. Sometimes, the word is used for other big cats too.

• Cougar (Puma concolor): Cougars, also known as pumas or mountain lions, are large cats found across North and South America. They are not in the Panthera genus, but some people in North America call them "panthers," especially the ones with dark fur.
  • Florida Panther: This is a specific population of cougars that lives in the southern parts of Florida, USA. They are an endangered animal and are very important to the ecosystem there.