[masraum]

Originally Posted by john70t

A pair but not the same species. The males are usually the leaders but in this case the spotted female was.

Not the same species? Are they in a zoo?

What are commonly called "black panthers" are really just black jaguars (in S America) or black Jaguars (in Africa/Asia). They are the same species as the non-black versions. They just have a genetic variation that causes them to be dark (although in the right circumstances, the spots can still be seen).

It's similar to snakes. Lots of snakes come in colors that you wouldn't think were the same species, but they are just "mutant" color variations.

Texas coral snake


also a Texas coral snake


also a Texas coral snake


Eastern coral snake


also an eastern coral snake