Are there white panthers?

All panthers are associated with aggression and cruelty. Probably, to some extent this is due to the black color of their wool. It is commonly believed that this is the main color that has arisen from an overdose of melanin. In fact, black cats of this species are not so many as it seems. The majority of animals have a skin of black-brown tones.

White panthers are extremely rare. Scientists believe that the color of their wool can be associated with disease (leukemia) or with albinism. Other options are not considered, since the white color for the panther is unnatural and is considered an exception to the rule. Cats with this color are born approximately at the same frequency as other albino animals.

Appearance and other features

Until now, experts have not stopped arguing about this beast. Some believe that the white cat should be separated from the general form of the panther and attributed to pumas, jaguars. Others argue that the physiological description of the albino animal is the same as that of its dark relatives.

On average, the body length of a predatory cat reaches 1 meter, height - 70 cm, and weight - about 60 kg. The tail is long - about 1 meter. That's it, the white panther! The photo eloquently confirms that outwardly it looks the same as colored brethren. In addition, the albino cat has a specific larynx structure that is inherent only in panthers.

This is the brightest distinguishing feature of these animals from other predators, which allows them to produce a powerful roar. It is proved that the panther's larynx can be so inflated due to the fact that on one of the bones of their sublingual apparatus there is a flexible ligament. In addition, the vocal cords themselves have a tubular structure, which makes the roar of the predator spectacular.

These wild cats are well developed olfactory organs, including those of albinos. It should be noted that there is no concept of a "flock of white panthers", most likely, it will be one, very rarely - two cats among dark relatives.

Where do panthers live?

These predators live in the southwest of China, in the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia, in Nepal, Burma and South India. The habitat of wild cats is very wide. Panthers are found on the island of Java, in Ethiopia, the forests of Kenya and African Aberdere.

Often wild cats live near settlements, but try to stay apart. In the daytime, they rest, climbing the trees. This situation ensures their safety. When the dark time arrives, the panthers go hunting.

How do cats hunt?

They look out for their prey on the ground, but they often hunt on trees. For example, on monkeys. Like all members of the cat family, the panthers are flexible and dexterous animals. They easily jump on trees with a height of about 6 meters.

Some readers may wonder how black predators and whites hunt, what differences exist between them. The white panther at the level of instincts is more cautious.

A dark animal is easier to hunt due to its color. After all, the white cat has to make more efforts to stay unnoticed at night. To do this, she carefully disguises herself in dense thickets of plants.

Not like everyone else

It is proved that the albino cat has significantly reduced hearing and there are violations associated with vision. It is inherent in it to look for game a little more in time than black, and it is necessary to rely mainly on the sense of smell. Otherwise, her habits are not much different from the behavior of other panthers.

She also drags her prey onto tree branches so that other predators do not take her away. However, scientists emphasize that the albino panther is difficult to survive in the wild. It is noted that when there is a lack of game, the white beauty eats eggs of various birds, fruits and herbs growing in the habitat zone.

Curiously, the dark panthers do not always perceive an albino cat as a sexual partner. Therefore, she rarely takes part in mating games and in a pack can be kept apart. Although the aggression from the relatives, scientists do not confirm. If the pairing did happen, the white panther has light brown kittens, but more often albinos.

Interesting Facts

It is proved that in the wild nature the life span of dark panthers is 10-12 years, in captivity - about 20 years. White cats live even less - in the wild 5-6 years, in zoos up to 12-15 years. Circus trainers note that panthers are too unpredictable to work in the arena. Including white.

Therefore, cats of this species - a rare sight in the arena of the circus. Despite this, the Panthers refer to the vanishing animals. After all, people hunt for them because of the fine fur. Every day the number of these beauties decreases. They are often confused with leopards, and white panthers - with pumas. If you ask the aboriginal: "Are there white panthers in your land?" - you can get the answer: "Large white cats live high in the mountains, and almost no one sees them."

In fact, we are talking about cougars and leopards. Despite their similarity with panthers, animals differ from each other. For example, leopards are much smaller in size. Cougars do occur in light colors: greyish, rusty, but pure white are rare. In addition, they are larger than the panther, and the length of their tails is shorter.

There are other significant differences in the bone skeleton between all these cats. Finally, white panthers are in the woods, and pumas live in the highlands.

Legends

How many myths are stacked about white cats! They praise the beauty, dexterity and grace of the panther. In the ancient tales of this beast is often personified with the image of a woman: strong, but aggressive and insidious.

In Greece, this animal was considered the god of winemaking. People thought that the panther patronizes alcoholic drinking and drunken behavior. Other nations believed that this cat is capable of releasing dark forces to the earth. Therefore, often brought to the habitat of the panther prey - a bird, a lamb, a kid, trying to cajole such behavior. But there were those who saw their patron and defender in the wild cat.

According to some legends, only a panther could win a dragon fight and protect the people from his fiery evil. There is a legend that the best mothers among animals are white panthers. The animal world emphasizes their particular fearlessness and extraordinary love for their children.

Legend of the White Panther

According to an ancient belief, once the black panther desperately defended her kittens from a raging dragon, despite the fact that he burned her beautiful black wool. But victory went to her - the fire-breathing enemy was defeated! As a sign of admiration, the gods of the jungle gave the panther a new color - snow-white fur, to distinguish it among others.

In fact, white panthers bring offspring extremely rarely, in one case out of a thousand. Apparently, this is due to her incredible affection for the cubs. Locals still believe this legend and consider it a good sign to see a white panther among black cats. A truly beautiful sight!