Black Panther

Source: TOI

Context: Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer recently shared a video of a rare black panther strolling is lush greenery of north Bengal.

About Black Panther:

• What is a Black Panther? The black panther, a colloquial term for melanistic (dark-colored) large felines in the genus Panthera, is known for its striking black fur and mysterious allure.

• The black panther, a colloquial term for melanistic (dark-colored) large felines in the genus Panthera, is known for its striking black fur and mysterious allure.

• Scientific Names: Black Leopard: Panthera pardus. Black Jaguar: Panthera onca.

• Black Leopard: Panthera pardus.

• Black Jaguar: Panthera onca.

• Habitat:

• Found across three continents: Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Commonly inhabit dense tropical rainforests, grasslands, and mountainous regions. Global Range: Southwest China, Southern India, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma. Indian Range: Found in Kabini Forest (Karnataka), Nagarhole National Park, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Silent Valley, and Sundarbans.

• Found across three continents: Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

• Commonly inhabit dense tropical rainforests, grasslands, and mountainous regions.

• Global Range: Southwest China, Southern India, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma.

• Indian Range: Found in Kabini Forest (Karnataka), Nagarhole National Park, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Silent Valley, and Sundarbans.

• Characteristics:

• Physical Features: Glossy black or dark brown fur with faint spotted patterns visible in sunlight. Eyes: Striking emerald green, giving a fierce and elegant look even in darkness. Behavioural Traits: Solitary and territorial hunters. Known for exceptional intelligence, sharp eyesight, and strong sense of smell. Males are polygamous in nature.

• Physical Features: Glossy black or dark brown fur with faint spotted patterns visible in sunlight. Eyes: Striking emerald green, giving a fierce and elegant look even in darkness.

• Eyes: Striking emerald green, giving a fierce and elegant look even in darkness.

• Behavioural Traits: Solitary and territorial hunters. Known for exceptional intelligence, sharp eyesight, and strong sense of smell. Males are polygamous in nature.

• Solitary and territorial hunters.

• Known for exceptional intelligence, sharp eyesight, and strong sense of smell.

• Males are polygamous in nature.

• Why Black Color? Melanism results from specific genetic alleles: Recessive alleles in leopards. Dominant alleles in jaguars. The high concentration of melanin creates their dark fur, aiding camouflage in dense forests.

• Melanism results from specific genetic alleles: Recessive alleles in leopards. Dominant alleles in jaguars.

• Recessive alleles in leopards.

• Dominant alleles in jaguars.

• The high concentration of melanin creates their dark fur, aiding camouflage in dense forests.

• Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. CITES: Appendix I (strictly regulated trade). Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I (maximum protection). Threats: Habitat loss, poaching, and declining prey populations.

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.

• CITES: Appendix I (strictly regulated trade).

• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I (maximum protection).

• Threats: Habitat loss, poaching, and declining prey populations.

Insta links:

• Netravali-wildlife-sanctuary