Big cats often have many names, leading to confusion. The terms “puma” and “panther” are frequently used interchangeably or with varying meanings. This article clarifies the distinctions between these terms.
Understanding the Puma
The puma is a distinct species, Puma concolor, native to the Americas. It has the widest distribution of any wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, ranging from Canada to the southern Andes. It is also known as a cougar, mountain lion, and catamount.
Pumas have a solid tawny or yellowish-brown coat, which can vary. They are characterized by a slender, muscular body, a small head, and a long tail often tipped with black. Adult males weigh 80 to 220 pounds and measure 5 to 7 feet long, while females are smaller.
Pumas are adaptable predators, inhabiting diverse environments like forests, mountains, grasslands, and swamps, favoring dense vegetation for cover. They are solitary animals that primarily hunt deer and other large mammals, using an ambush style.
Understanding the Panther
The term “panther” does not refer to a single species but is a general common name with multiple applications. Most commonly, “black panther” describes melanistic color variants of two big cat species: leopards (Panthera pardus) in Asia and Africa, and jaguars (Panthera onca) in the Americas. Melanism is a genetic variation causing their fur to appear entirely black.
Despite their dark appearance, these “black panthers” still possess their characteristic spots or rosettes, obscured by the darker coloration. This genetic trait occurs in about 10% of both leopard and jaguar populations.
In a different context, “panther” is also used for the Florida panther. This animal is a specific subspecies of the puma, Puma concolor coryi. Unlike melanistic leopards and jaguars, the Florida panther is not black; it maintains the typical tawny-beige coloration of other pumas.
This subspecies is found exclusively in the wetlands, swamps, and upland forests of southern Florida. The Florida panther is an endangered species, with only about 200 individuals remaining.
Unraveling the Terminology
The primary distinction between “puma” and “panther” lies in their scientific classification and usage. “Puma” consistently refers to a single species, Puma concolor, known for its solid, tawny coat and widespread presence across the Americas. Pumas do not naturally exhibit melanism, so “black pumas” do not exist.
Conversely, “panther” is a broader, informal term. Most commonly, it describes melanistic leopards and jaguars. These “black panthers” are distinct species from the puma, belonging to the genus Panthera, which includes lions and tigers. Thus, a black panther is not a puma.
Adding to the complexity, “panther” also names the Florida panther, a subspecies of the puma (Puma concolor coryi). While the Florida panther is a puma, it is a unique regional population. Therefore, a puma is not necessarily a “panther” unless it is the Florida subspecies, and the generic term “panther” often refers to different black-coated big cats.