There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
(09-25-2020, 10:46 PM)BorneanTiger Wrote: Are black cougars possible?
The term "black panther" is usually applied to a melanistic leopard (Panthera pardus) in the Old World, and a melanistic jaguar (Panthera onca) in the New World, but the cougar's range in the Americas is more extensive than that of the jaguar, with the former covering temperate areas in the southern extreme of South America, and the northern extreme of North America. It is worth mentioning that pumas can have colour variations, including albinism, and even spots: http://messybeast.com/genetics/mutant-pumas.html
This photo depicts a cougar shot in 1959 by Miguel Ruiz Herrero in the province of Guanacaste along Costa Rica's north Pacific coast. Estimated to weigh 100–120 lbs (45.359–54.431 kg), its carcass is seen here alongside Ruiz's herdsman, but what happened to it afterwards is unknown: http://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2012/08/t...ating.html
Painting of a black panther in North America confronting dogs, by William Rebsamen:
I've mentioned this video before but I'm surprised nobody has mentioned how the cougar in the video has a black coating. I highly doubt is paint as the coating is perfectly even throughout.
North American cougar (Puma concolor couguar)
