In North America, the term “panther” commonly refers to the Puma concolor, a large cat also known as a cougar, puma, or mountain lion. This includes the Florida panther, a distinct subspecies.
The Current Status of Panthers in South Carolina
The eastern cougar, which historically ranged across much of eastern North America, including South Carolina, was declared extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2018. This means there is no longer an established, naturally occurring population of these big cats in the state. While the Florida panther, a specific subspecies, is recovering, its established breeding range remains primarily limited to South Florida.
Despite occasional unconfirmed sightings, there is no scientific documentation to support the existence of a breeding or established cougar population in South Carolina. Wildlife officials confirm that any cougars observed in the state are likely transient individuals, such as dispersing males from the Florida population, or animals that have escaped captivity.
Evidence of a resident population, such as roadkill incidents or consistent trail camera captures of multiple individuals, is absent in South Carolina. In contrast, Florida, with its known panther population of around 200, experiences regular road fatalities involving these animals. This lack of consistent evidence in South Carolina indicates that any presence of cougars is sporadic and does not represent a self-sustaining wild population.
Understanding Common Sightings and Misidentifications
When people report seeing “panthers” in South Carolina, these sightings are most often misidentifications of other animals. Bobcats are frequently mistaken for cougars, though they are significantly smaller, typically weighing between 12 to 25 pounds, compared to cougars that can weigh 70 to 150 pounds or more. Bobcats also have a characteristic short, “bobbed” tail, spotted or striped fur, and tufted ears, unlike the cougar’s long, thick tail and uniformly tan coat.
Other animals commonly misidentified include large domestic cats, coyotes, or even dogs, especially in low light conditions or at a distance. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources receives monthly reports of cougar sightings, but these typically lack scientific verification.
A widespread misconception involves the “black panther.” In North America, cougars are uniformly tan or tawny in color and do not exhibit a black color phase. A “black panther” is actually a melanistic (dark-colored) leopard found in Africa and Asia, or a melanistic jaguar found in Central and South America. These melanistic big cats are not native to the United States outside of captivity.