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Thursday, November 15, 2007

TT #63: black panther

TT63

Thirteen facts about the black panther

My power animal is a black panther, that has been with me for as long as I can remember. Practically always when I'm in a meditation or journey she accompagnies me.


  • Black panthers don't actually refer to any specific species of cats, but rather any large cat that is all-black in colouring. These cats possess a mutated gene, which causes melanism. Melanism is the trait that makes the cats' coat turn black. When people say black panthers, they are usually referring to black leopards, though it still depends on a specific area's use of the word Panther. Panther itself used to be a word to mean any large cat with a long tail, but has since then become a word to refer to any large black cat.

  • Black panthers, whether of the jaguar or leopard species, are considered either threatened or endangered in various locations around the world. Leopards in Africa are considered endangered, while the leopards in South America are considered threatened or near threatened. There are fewer black panthers in these places than their normal kin, so they are considered endangered. On the other hand, black panthers in Asia are bigger in number than their normal-coloured kin, though both are still in either the endangered or threatened list. The better survival rate of black panthers in these locations may be because the black colouring helps them hide better in dimly lit jungle and forest habitats.

  • Black panthers are born when the parents both have the melanistic trait in their genes, though in jaguars, one may be enough because it is a dominant gene in them. Black panthers can be born from two normal-colored cats, while a black panther can give birth to normal-coloured cubs. They usually have a smaller amount of cubs in a litter than their normal counterparts. This may be because of in-breeding. In-breeding also causes the black panthers to become temperamental and more skittish than the normal members of their species. This is also the reason why their lifespans and reproductive rate become shorter and smaller.

  • Black panthers still share the same traits as the normal-coloured cats of their respective species. Black leopards, for example, still have leopard spots, only they are hidden by the blackness of the rest of their coat. Black jaguars are still stocky and heavily built. Their rosetta pattern spots are usually still slightly visible through their black coats. Like most cats, black panthers in general are graceful and agile on their feet, are fierce and excellent hunters, and vary in size from large to medium depending on their species. Black tigers, for example, are extremely large, while melanistic bobcats are relatively small.

  • Black panthers are hunted down for their unique and beautiful fur because their pelt fetches a large sum in illegal trade. Sometimes, they are also hunted down because they threaten the livestock of the humans in the area.

  • Black panthers are often found in captivity because they are very attractive to tourists and visitors. Some people even try to have them as a pet, but that's a very bad idea!! Not rarely deathly accidents happen when the cub grows older. The Black Leopard has a highly proven track record as a man eater.

  • Black panthers are athletic creatures that can kill prey bigger than they are. They are excellent hunters and take advantage of their fur to sneak up on their prey better. A black panther can walk through a heard of cattle without being noticed – that's how good they are. They can usually run fast enough to chase prey across the jungle floor, though they prefer stalking and catching their prey off guard. Black panthers are excellent climbers and can also catch their prey by snagging them from trees. They can climb up a tree trunk at amazing speeds, and reach high places by jumping them leaping on the branches.

  • The female black panther raises her cubs on her own after a pregnancy of about 90 to a hundred days. The litter ranges from about 2 to 3 cubs per litter. She trains her cubs to hunt at about 2 to 3 months old. Before then, she leaves them in a den or any secure hollow that can keep the cubs hidden from any possible predator. Cubs start their training by preying on lizards and larger insects. They only start to go after larger game at around 7 months old, when they get their permanent teeth. Female cubs leave their mothers at about two years old, but usually stay close to their mother's territory.

  • In the fictional universe of the Forgotten Realms (a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game) Guenhwyvar is a magical black panther from the Astral Plane. Guenhwyvar weighs about 600 lb (272 kg). The panther was created by writer R.A. Salvatore, who named one of his own cats after the panther. The name Guenhwyvar is taken from the Welsh version of the name Guinevere, King Arthur's queen.

  • Who doesn't know Bagheera, the black panther from The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling? "Bagheera" is Hindi for leopard. Bagheera is one of Mowgli's mentors and shares in many of his adventures as he grows. In several adaptations of the story Bagheera is portrayed as female, since there are no major female characters in the original novel by Kipling. In Maugli (Russian film adaptation) it should be noted that she has three cubs, one black and two normally colored ones. In Disney's adaptation Bagheera the panther is male.

  • The Panther, Leopard or Jaguar is a very ancient and powerful totem animal. It embodies aggressiveness and power but without solar influence. A Black Panther’s power is lunar. The Black Panther is endowed with great magic and power and this power will increasingly be experienced.

  • People with a Panther totem have the ability to do a variety of tasks at the same time. They tend to be loners, very comfortable with themselves and are often drawn to other solitary people. Women with Panther totems often find themselves raising their children alone, whether it be through divorce or just circumstances of the job. Panther people can develop clairaudience, the ability to hear communications from other forms of life or dimensions. They should trust their thoughts and inner visions as they are based in reality.

  • On YouTube I found this beautiful tribute to the black panther, a compilation of great pictures. If you search YouTube for "black panther" or "black leopard" you can see a lot more videos.

sources: Beautiful Black Panthers, Lin's Domain, Wikipedia


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49 comments:

  1. I had no idea the balck in the panther came from the same pigment that makes freckles in humans. That is so fascinating. Black panthers are in magic realism a bit too...and rituals in South America.

    Wonderful!

    Here is mine:

    http://www.chelleyoung.com/

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  2. I own a black cat. Close enough?

    Panthers are beautiful, but I would hate to come along one without a cage to protect me. :)

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  3. I love cats.. big and small... though the bigger ones tend to smell more.. :(

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  4. Fascinating list. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. A black panther is such a pretty animal to me. Also, it just so happens the football team here in charlotte is called the Carolina Panthers. Go panthers!

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  6. I enjoyed reading this very much...what beautiful animals they are! The Jungle Book was one of my favs :-)

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  7. Fascinating. And oh so rare. The idea of a 90-day pregnancy is quite appealing, but to be hunted and harmed, an awful prospect.

    I need to find out what it means to have a black panther totem.

    Thanks for teaching me so much.

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  8. Panthers are AMAZING! Great list, I knew very little of that actually.

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  9. Great list! #3 was especially fascinating. (Thanks for stopping by my TT)

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  10. I haven't read The Jungle Book since I was a child. Your TT brought a few memories back. And what lovely pictures!

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  11. This was a well researched TT. I had no idea that black panthers can walk through a herd of cattle without being noticed! I think I remember hearing a tragic story about someone who had a black panther as a pet. I can't remember if the owner was attacked or someone else.

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  12. Interesting stuff, Tink!

    Have a great TT!

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  13. Wow, great stuff. I love things like this and my older sister would enjoy it too. Happy TT.

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  14. Oh, great timing! My current writing project contains a hero who can shapeshift into a black jaguar. Happy TT!

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  15. I just read about Panthers to my kids -- they are fascinating. And beautiful.

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  16. Gosh, who knew?? I'd love to hear more about how you found your power animal and what she means to you. Do you do shaman journeys??

    Mine is a snowy owl - like Hedwig from Harry Potter - although this was my animal long before Harry Potter.

    Happy TT!

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  17. Very good. Doc Holiday thinks she is a panther, but then again I think all house cats have that fantasy.

    The Pink Flamingo
    http://thepinkflamingo.blogharbor.com/blog

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  18. I'm always impressed with how thorough and detailed you are with your TT. Black panthers are so cool! Great list!

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  19. I never knew Panthers were so interesting great list Happy TT-http://inraesworld.blogspot.com/

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  20. Very Informative list. You did your homework. Happy TT and thanks for stopping by!

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  21. Very interesting. I'll have to share that with my boys. Thanks for sharing and for stopping by. Blessings!

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  22. my totem is the cougar . . .

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  23. Great list, and very informative. I love black cats.

    Happy TT!

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  24. Rowr! I wonder what is my power animal?

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  25. I haven't seen a black panther before. They look so mysterious to me.

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  26. Fascinating!
    I always thought panthers were a breed all their own.
    Thank you for this interesting and informative post.
    Terrific Thursday Thirteen!
    My TT is posted.
    Have a wonderful day!
    Happy TT'ing!
    *^_^
    (=':'=)
    (")_ (")Å 
    Raggedy

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  27. That's such an interesting list, Tink. I can truly say that I've learned something new today that I didn't know before!

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  28. Wonderful list, Tink. The black panther, is one of my power animals as well. It was wonderful to read about them here in such great detail.

    Your last comment on the multi-tasking loner comfortable with themselves is quite true of me as well. :)

    So glad I stopped by.

    Happy TT

    ~X

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  29. Oh cool I have always loved black panthers , when I was a kid I just thought that i had to have one.

    MY TT

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  30. Mmmmmmmm, I love all this list. Panthers!!! Big cats!!! Yes!!! I remember seeing the panther cubs that were donated to the zoo,-------when the sun would shine on their coat at a certain angle, you could see the 'leopard' spots underneath the black...They're AWESOME

    [ps...how do you find out what your power animal is? I'd like to try it to see what mine is!!]

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  31. What a lovely TT.

    My Grandpa used to tell a story about a Black panther chasing him in the woods. Since we are talking MS/AL here I assume he meant a cougar. Thanks for telling us so much about Black panthers.

    My TT is up.

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  32. I always wanted a black panther. I think they are so beautiful and very amazing creatures. Thanks for sharing!

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  33. Love your T13! Great info!

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  34. Interest list. I learned a lot about panthers.

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  35. Wow! Fascinating details! They are beautiful animals.

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  36. What a beautiful animal! I love the big cats...

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  37. Thank you for this post. Actually since I've been a young child I've always had a "thing" for black panthers. Interesting, and several unknown-to-me facts.

    Smiles,
    Holly
    http://theabundanceplace.com

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  38. I love panthers! I love all wild cats!

    Great facts! Happy TT!

    http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/2007/11/thirteen-things-i-am-thankful-for.html

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  39. Very interesting! Great TT!

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  40. A very interesting T13 about very beautiful creatures :-)

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  41. Black tigers? For real? I've got to learn more. Thanks for the pointer. I can tell I'll be happily engaged in research tonight. Cheers and best wishes, Jean Marie

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  42. That was brilliant. I love black panthers, but---I admit it---I thought there was a species of cat called "panther." We have Florida panthers (beautiful things, but disappearing) which are tan and cream-colored giant creatures. I've seen them at a preserve. I am now wondering what species they are (?)

    For some reason, I've always fondly remembered Bagheera from the Disney Jungle Book. Sebastian Cabot did the voice (I think).

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  43. Gorgeous animal! Happy belated TT and thank you so much for stopping by!

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  44. Not that I did to know about this animal, but adding your information made it even more interesting - thanks for your research and for sharing.

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  45. PS: Sorry I forgot to thank you for your greetings as well as your support on my European Best Blog award.

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  46. Dearest Tinkerbell! I hope you do not think me too ungracious of a kitty for taking such a long time to return your visit. You can only imagine how happy I was to see you come cheer me on while I was so very sick. Mommy was heartbroken and thought for sure I would not regain any of my spirit and was prepared for the worst. But I was worth a small miracle. With your purrrayers and some good medicine, I have regained my strength day by day. Mommy would not have made it through her worries about me without your comfort. Each night we keep you in our prayers and wish you endless Blessings this Thanksgiving season.
    Love and hugs from our house to yours, Miss Peach and the mommy

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  47. They are so beautiful cats ! But I don't want to meet one in the street !
    I am back from Egypt had wonderful holidays and have now the blues. From 30° to -2° is just awful !

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  48. Nice remark Tink told me herselve....

    Once Tink and Ron were at the ZOO in Frankfurt germany. Tink gave Ron (and the animal keepers)the creeps by petting a fullgrown plack panther through the bars of the cage....
    They let her, atherwise Ron and the animal keepers would have been endangering Tink.....

    Ahh... small cats, big cats... she likes them all!

    Greeetzzz Wonder

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  49. What a fascinating list! Great TT!

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