This striking image shows a regular spotted leopard beside a melanistic leopard, commonly known as a black panther.
Despite their different appearances, both are the same species: Panthera pardus (leopard).
The black panther’s dark coat is due to melanism, a genetic variation that causes excess black pigment (similar to albinism but opposite in effect).
However, if viewed closely or in infrared, the black leopard still has visible rosettes (spots).
Melanistic leopards are rare and mostly found in dense tropical forests of India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa, where their darker coat provides camouflage.
The image could be from India’s Kabini Forest, a hotspot known for sightings of both types of leopards together, which is extremely rare and considered a wildlife photography gem.
This photo beautifully captures evolutionary diversity in action — a rare natural side-by-side comparison of dominant and recessive phenotypes in the same species.
This striking image shows a regular spotted leopard beside a melanistic leopard, commonly known as a black panther.
Despite their different appearances, both are the same species: Panthera pardus (leopard).
The black panther’s dark coat is due to melanism, a genetic variation that causes excess black pigment (similar to albinism but opposite in effect).
However, if viewed closely or in infrared, the black leopard still has visible rosettes (spots).
Melanistic leopards are rare and mostly found in dense tropical forests of India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa, where their darker coat provides camouflage.
The image could be from India’s Kabini Forest, a hotspot known for sightings of both types of leopards together, which is extremely rare and considered a wildlife photography gem.
This photo beautifully captures evolutionary diversity in action — a rare natural side-by-side comparison of dominant and recessive phenotypes in the same species.
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