Melanistic

The Black Leopard Explained

by Ian Wickison

The Black Leopards found in the British Isles could be either of Leopard or Jaguar species.  Both the Leopard and the Jaguar can give birth to black offspring.   Taking the photograph on the right as an example,  both animals are visibly of the same species.   The spots can clearly be seen on the ‘Black Leopard’.  Mating between a normal Leopard and a Black Leopard works because the scents of each animal are recognised by each animal as smelling correct.

The dark colouring is caused by melanin, a dark pigment, the same as which causes human skin to ‘tan’ when exposed to sunlight.  It is widley believed that the Black Leopard  is more vicious and aggressive than its naturally coloured counter part.  The most widely accepted reason for this is due to the level of acceptance into the litter.  Even though a melanistic kitten is born into a litter of perhaps two or three others, its colour is its downfall.  To the female it smells right and it reacts correctly, however, it does not look right.  The overall black colouration does not match the others and it is thought it has to fight considerably harder for its place in the food chain within the litter.  Thus, from an early age its aggressive nature is developed.

The black colouring lends itself well to the Black Leopards ability to move unseen during the hours of darkness, when Leopards and Jaguars prefer to hunt. 

copyright 2000   Ian Wickison