The why, what and where of the world's black leopards
![The why, what and where of the world's black leopards](https://images.theconversation.com/files/261401/original/file-20190228-106344-xsqyl4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1356&h=668&fit=crop)
Black leopards are different because of a recessive genetic variation known as “melanism”.
![](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/VWN2v46r3AoYnC9jAVnsjqhwy14=/1000x750/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/cd/32/cd321dde-3e16-42e4-9075-4a40b0e075b8/black_panther_-_india.jpg)
Why Are Black Leopards So Rare?, Science
![](https://static.nationalgeographic.co.uk/files/styles/image_3200/public/01-black-leopard-willbl-1.jpg?w=1600&h=900)
African black leopard seen for first time in 100 years
![](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/2_V5MjZvgxquo4x3NXMmmHghNFo=/fit-in/1072x0/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/bf/ce/bfce7089-a04b-40df-86dd-f45da178f190/black-leopard-2-1024x643.jpg)
Why Are Black Leopards So Rare?, Science
![](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2021/10/black-panther-panthera-pardus-adult-snarling-in-defensive-posture-picture-id1256653107.jpg)
Black Panther Vs. Black Jaguar: What Are the Differences? - A-Z
![](https://good-nature-blog-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/03/jaguar-1-1-1280x640.jpg)
What's the Difference: Jaguars, Leopards and Black Panthers?
![](https://stories.sandiegozoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/T17_0603_021.jpg)
Black Beauty – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Stories
![](https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2023/02/news18-38-8-16775831814x3.png)
Watch: Officials At Nagarahole Tiger Reserve Capture Melanistic
![](https://www.bornfree.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Mowgli-pic-black-leopard-c-BFShamwari-1024x640.jpg)
Leopards - Born Free
![](https://showme.co.za/nelspruit/files/2017/11/Black-Leopard-1.jpeg)
Chasing Mpumalanga's Black Leopard
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/31/14/69329567-11924097-Giza_was_delivered_in_a_litter_of_two_cubs_to_a_more_usual_spott-a-45_1680269359645.jpg)
Extremely rare BLACK leopard becomes 'the ever to be photographed
![](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/fictionrulezforever/images/4/43/Black_leopard.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/1920?cb=20220908191838)
Black Leopard, FictionRulezForever Wiki
![](https://a-z-animals.com/media/animals/images/original/panther.jpg)
Panther Animal Facts Panthera pardus, Panthera onca - A-Z Animals
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/78/186778-050-73CF4F25/black-panther-leopards-Africa-Central-jaguars-South.jpg)
Black panther, Facts, Habitat, & Diet
![](https://www.online-field-guide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-Many-Black-Panthers-Are-Left-In-The-World.jpg)
How Many Black Panthers Are Left In The World - Online Field Guide