Panther vs. Jaguar: It’s More “Color Form vs. Species” Than You Think

Shortest answer: Panther isn’t a species. In most wildlife contexts, “black panther” refers to a melanistic leopard (Panthera pardus) in Africa/Asia or a melanistic jaguar (Panthera onca) in the Americas. Same species as their spotted counterparts—just a dark coat caused by genetics.ContentsPant...