Justin Miller
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
AUBURN UNIVERSITY — From high-school mascots to the Marvel Universe, black panthers have appeared in lots of types in immediately’s tradition. However, is that this massive cat actual or simply an illustrated piece of fiction? Alabama Cooperative Extension System wildlife specialists are right here to assist uncover one more big-cat thriller.
There are many names that folks use to check with the animal scientifically referred to as Puma concolor. These names embrace panther, mountain lion, cougar, puma, mountain satan, mountain screamer, catamount and others. Historically, panthers have been in Alabama. However, Alabama Extension specialists revealed in “Mountain Lions: Alabama’s Big-Cat Mystery” that there has but to be a dependable verification in almost 70 years.
Fact or Fiction?
There are many individuals in Alabama and past that declare to have encountered a black panther. However, Wesley Anderson, an Alabama Extension wildlife specialist, mentioned when particularly referring to Puma concolor — the species mostly known as panthers — there is no such thing as a such factor as a black panther.
“Melanistic Puma concolor, meaning those that are black or much darker than their typical tawny color, have not been recorded anywhere,” Anderson mentioned.
Melanin is a substance in dwelling organism that’s liable for producing the pigmentation of hair, feathers, eyes and pores and skin. The extra melanin an organism has, the darker these featured will seem. In genetic traces that comprise plenty of melanin, the organisms might be black.
“Melanism is determined by genetics, so if the right mutation occurs, a black panther could exist, but there’s currently no scientific evidence that says they do exist,” Anderson mentioned.
Other Big Cats
While panthers don’t have a melanistic line of genetics, there are various different massive cats that do. These are the animals that folks might incorrectly known as black panthers. Anderson mentioned leopards and jaguars are two widespread ones.
“Simply put, a black panther in Africa or Asia is probably a melanistic leopard,” Anderson mentioned. “If people in North America or South America say they have seen a black panther, it is probably a melanistic jaguar or — if they are north of the United States-Mexico border — more likely, a misidentified animal.”
While melanistic jaguars do exist in North America, folks in Alabama shouldn’t get their hopes up about seeing one.
“While rare, jaguars have been sighted along the Arizona-Mexico border,” Anderson mentioned. “So, conceivably, there could be one observed in other parts of the U.S. someday. Historically, this species was seen as far east as Louisiana and as far north as Colorado but has never been documented in Alabama.”
What are folks seeing?
If it isn’t a panther or a jaguar, then what’s it that folks in Alabama are seeing? Mark Smith, an Alabama Extension wildlife specialist, mentioned a big black cat might be a bobcat, Alabama’s largest native cat.
“Bobcats occur in large numbers throughout Alabama and the southeastern U.S.,” Smith mentioned. “Melanistic bobcats have been recorded, but bobcats are much smaller than panthers are, weighing about 15 to 35 pounds. They also have a short 4- to 8-inch tail and a spotted coat.”
Anderson mentioned there have been stories of jaguarundi sightings in elements of the state. While these cats are present in Arizona and Texas and might have a darkish coloration, not one of the Alabama stories have been substantiated.
“Like the bobcat, the jaguarundi is considerably smaller than panthers — weighing in at only about 15 pounds,” Anderson mentioned.
Alabama has a bigger native mammal that might be what individuals are seeing: the black bear. Commonly seen in northeast and southwest Alabama, black bear populations have elevated during the last a number of years. Also, there are much more widespread animals that folks might misidentify as panthers.
“A black-panther sighting could be a black dog, such as a Labrador Retriever, or a large domesticated black cat,” mentioned Todd Steury, an affiliate professor within the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment.
How might folks confuse any of those animals with a panther? Smith mentioned to keep in mind that sure situations can have an effect on what folks see.
“Many pictures and videos of supposed panther sightings turn out to be feral cats, once the animal’s size is compared to other objects in the background,” Smith mentioned. “Also, if seen at the right angle or under poor lighting conditions, a relatively common animal can start to take the shape of something completely different.”
More Information
At the tip of the day, Anderson mentioned black-panther sightings within the state are almost actually both a melanistic bobcat, a black bear or a black home cat or canine. While this will not be the cool storyline as depicted in films and comedian books, it’s all the time enjoyable to find extra details about the wildlife in Alabama.
To uncover extra of the thriller surrounding panthers, learn the publication “Alabama Cougars: Sorting Fact From Fiction” at www.aces.edu. If you suppose you will have a panther in your space, watch the “Gathering Evidence to Confirm Cougars in Alabama” sequence. This is available on the ACES – Fresh from the Field YouTube channel.
