A couple days ago, my friend texted me while they were looking at a black panther exhibit at the art museum and asked me what kind of cat black panthers actually are. I had to break it to them–and now to you–that there really isn’t any such thing as a black panther. The name “black panther” is applied to individuals of several species of wild cat which are all black due to a rare genetic condition called melanism. Most black panthers are actually leopards or jaguars, both of which are normally yellow with black spots [9].
What is melanism?
Many cats come in black [4]
Melanism is a rare genetic mutation that causes animals to have black skin and fur/feathers/whatever when members of their species typically do not [1, 3, 4, 7, 9]. The mutation causes the affected animals to produce an excess of the dark color pigment melanin [1, 2, 7]. Lots of animals can be melanistic, including pigs, cows, mice, butterflies, snakes, lizards, and snails [2, 4, 7]. Melanism is more common in felids than most taxa, however [1-3, 7]. 15 of the 40 species in the genus Felidae are known to exhibit melanism [4].
Melanistic cats have black fur all over their bodies but may still have some of the patterning or their “normal,” or wild-type, brethren. For example, black leopards still have rosettes which are even darker black [7, 9], and some melanistic Asian golden cats have a white mark on the underside of their tails [4].
Melanism mutations have cropped up at least eight separate times in the cat family tree [3]. These different mutations don’t all work exactly the same way. Mutations in the ASIP gene are recessive, meaning that a cat has to inherit the mutation from both parents to be black [2, 7]. The ASIP protein normally inhibits eumelanin (dark pigment) production, and these mutations make the ASIP protein non-functional [2, 7]. Leopards and Asian golden cats inherit melanism as a recessive ASIP mutation [2, 3, 6-9].
Mutations in the MC1R gene are dominant, so a cat can inherit either one or two copies of the mutation to be melanistic [2, 7]. MC1R promotes the production of eumelanin, and the mutations increase its activity [2, 7]. Jaguars and jaguarundis inherit melanism as a dominant MC1R mutation [2, 9].
How many black panthers are there?
In general, the rate of melanism in the felid species that have it is thought to be around 10% [3, 9]. However, the actual percentage varies widely depending upon the species and specific population [1, 3, 4, 8]. Leopards range throughout Africa, up through Asia, and as far north as Siberia. In Africa, they are almost never seen in their black panther form, but in Malaysia, the exact opposite is true–almost all leopards are black [3, 4, 7-9]. Southeast Asia in general has about half melanistic, half wild-type leopards [3]. Servals are more likely to exhibit melanism in the East African highlands and the Tsavo ecosystem of southeast Kenya [1]. While most species have fewer melanistic cats than wild-type, 80% of jaguarundis are melanistic [2, 4].
Melanistic (A) and wild-type (B) tigrinas [4]
It’s difficult to get an accurate count of how many wild cats there are in the world to begin with, due to their stealth and dwindling habitats. Counting black cats has its own particular challenges. Sometimes reports of a “black panther” are ambiguous or a case of mistaken identity [5]. There is still debate about whether or not melanistic cougars actually exist for that reason [5]. Because melanistic wild cats are rare in most environments, people are more likely to take notice of them and tell somebody if they see one, possibly inflating their numbers [1].
Why are only some big cats melanistic?
The evolution of melanism in felids is still up for discussion among biologists. The most prominent theory is that melanism is so common among cat species because it helps camouflage them in dark, forested places [3, 8]. As ambush predators–and sometimes prey for bigger animals–most cats specialize in stealth, so camouflage is important. This would explain why melanism is more common in cats in jungle habitats and very rare in open grasslands where a black cat would really stand out [3, 8].
Researchers have found some other possible benefits to being a black panther, too. Dark coloration may aid in temperature control in high-altitude or cool, moist forest environments [1, 9]. Research in dark-colored birds has shown that they are resistant to feather-degrading bacteria [3], so there is a possibility that melanistic felids have some additional immunity to disease [3, 8].
There may be some downsides to that glossy black coat, however, even in favorable habitats. Black leopard pairs have smaller litter sizes [6], although the melanism mutation itself appears to have no ill effects [7]. Graipel et al. found evidence that melanistic cats in some species may have a disadvantage in communicating with their peers because the lack the white spots behind their ears or on their tails characteristic of their species [4]. Wild cats use these spots to send signals to each other at short distances, silently, without alerting prey or predators [4]. This is more important for some species than others, depending upon their habitat and whether they are more active when it’s light or dark [4]. Some felids don’t have these spots at all [4]. So it’s more advantageous to dress in black for some cats than for others.
Miniature black panthers
One of the felid species that exhibits melanism is the domestic cat, Felis catus [7]. That’s right, you might have a black panther of your very own! Not all black housecats are melanistic, however, because coat color genetics are complicated. Melanistic cats will be solid black, absolutely no white hairs, and their skin will be black as well. Also, fun fact: melanistic kittens often have “ghost” tabby stripes that typically fade with time, like the black leopard’s shadowy spots [7].
Eizirik, E., Yuhki, N., Johnson, W. E., Menotti-Raymond, M., et al. (2003). Molecular genetics and evolution of melanism in the cat family. Current Biology, 13(5), 448-453. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-9822(03)00128-3
da Silva, L. G., Kawanishi, K., Henschel, P., Kittle, A., et al. (2017). Mapping black panthers: Macroecological modeling of melanism in leopards (Panthera pardus). PLoS One, 12(4), e0170378. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170378
Graipel, M. E., Bogoni, J. A., Giehl, E. L. H., Cerezer, F. O., et al. (2019). Melanism evolution in the cat family is influenced by intraspecific communication under low visibility. PLoS One, 14(12), e0226136. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226136
Schneider, A., David, V. A., Johnson, W. E., O’Brien, S. J., et al. (2012). How the leopard hides its spots: ASIP mutations and melanism in wild cats. PLoS One, 7(12), e50386. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050386
There is something a little bit wild and untamed about cats. For some time, cat fanciers have been inspired by that wildness to breed cats that look like their undomesticated kin. The Bombay is one such breed, intended to look like a tiny black panther. Despite the family resemblance, these friendly felines are much more at home in a cozy bed than an exotic jungle.
A Long Way from India
The cat fancier who conceived of breeding mini-panthers was a woman named Nikki Horner who lived in Louisville, Kentucky, USA [1-5, 7, 8]. She began breeding sable Burmese and black American Shorthair cats together in the 1950s [1-3, 5, 7]. Horner named her new breed the Bombay after the city in India, now known as Mumbai, as a nod to the country’s black leopards [4-7].
Another line of Bombay cats was started in the United Kingdom that crossed Burmese and British Shorthairs [1, 6]. Although they are still considered Bombays, they look a bit different from the ones that come from the American breeding program [1, 6].
The only color Bombays come in is black, and they are black all over–whiskers, paw pads, and nose leather, too [2, 6, 7]. Their coat is short, dense, and has a shine like patent leather [1-8]. Their eyes vary from gold to deep copper [1-8]. The Bombay is a muscular, medium-sized cat with a round head and short muzzle [1-8]. Their ears are rounded at the tips [1, 6, 7].
The Bombay personality is that of a total attention sponge [2-8]. They are real extroverts who get along well with all sorts, including children and other pets [2-5, 7, 8]. Because Bombays are so social, they can get stressed and lonely when left alone for long hours [4, 7, 8]. Fortunately, they are happy to play with another cat or a different animal friend.
The Bombay is a smart, playful kitty who likes to learn tricks, play games, and solve puzzles [3, 4]. They often enjoy playing fetch and going for walks on a leash [2-4, 7]. This is not a highly active breed that will keep you up all night, but they certainly appreciate some quality playtime [2-4]. They are in fact quite the lap cat and love a good cuddle [2, 4, 5, 8].
Pampering Parlor Panthers
Bombays are a pretty easy breed to care for. Their short, low-shed coats require very minimal grooming, just the occasional brushing to get rid of loose hair [3, 4, 7]. They are more prone to obesity than most cats, so it’s important to keep their food intake measured and monitor their weight carefully [3, 4, 7]. They also have a genetic propensity toward gingivitis and dental disease, so brushing their teeth and providing dental treats are good ideas [7].
The Bombay is slightly flat-faced, which makes them prone to excessive tear production and sinus and breathing problems [3, 4, 7]. They also have somewhat higher rates of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common form of heart disease in cats [3, 4]. On the whole, however, Bombays have a rather low incidence of health problems and are considered quite hardy for purebred cats.
The Bombay is a rare breed that can be hard to find. They may still end up in shelters or need to be rehomed, though, so check with your local shelter or with Bombay and Burmese breeders to see if a cat is in need of adoption before trying to buy one.
Fun Facts
Bombays tend to reach puberty early yet don’t finish growing until they are almost two years old [3].
Bombay kittens can be born with tabby stripes that disappear as they grow up [1].
Works Cited
Alderton, D. (1992). Cats: The visual guide to more than 250 types of cats from around the world. Dorling Kindersley: London.
Black cats are a quintessential symbol of Halloween. Unfortunately, their association with Spooky Season is tied to their reputation for bringing bad luck. How many of us have heard that it is an ill omen for a black cat to cross your path? Of course, it is just a matter of genetics that makes one cat black and another ginger or white. Why did black cats get such a bad rap? The history of this myth goes back hundreds if not thousands of years.
Faeries and Familiars
It is hard to pin down a precise origin of the black cat legend. Folklore from numerous places and times likely contributed. In Celtic myth, a fairy called the Cat Sith or King of Cats appears as a black cat with a white chest [9]. Like many fairies, he may bless you if shown respect, but you had better not cross him.
In Scotland, a tale is told about a man who saw a funeral procession of cat carrying the body of a black cat with a white chest while yowling “The King of Cats is dead!” Well, this was quite the spectacle, so the man went home and told his family what he had seen. When he finished his story, the man’s own tuxedo cat leapt to his feet and shouted, “Then that makes me the King of Cats!” The new Cat Sith flew up the chimney, and his humans never saw him again. [9]
The Irish tell a darker version of this story. A man lived in a cottage in a village in Ireland. All his neighbors were careful to keep the fae folk happy. To this end, they left out milk for the Cat Sith once a week. But not this man, oh no. He thought it was a bunch of hogwash. His neighbors insisted that the Cat Sith kept their crops safe and prevented unwanted spirits from interfering with the land, but he would have none of it. In fact, he decided to prove them wrong. [9]
One night, he set out a cut of poisoned milk. Later, he heard a knock at the door, but when he opened, there was no late caller. There was a black cat with a white chest dying on his doorstep. The man just went down to the pub to ask whose cat it was. Well, after a few pints, he started telling everyone the whole story. Suddenly, the black-and-white cat that lived in the pub stood up and announced, “Then that makes me the King of Cats!” The new Cat Sith then ran at the cat-king-killer and attacked him. The Cat Sith drove the man out of town, and he was never seen nor heard from again. [9]
According to legend, the Cat Sith would steal the souls of the recently deceased by walking over their graves. As such, cats–especially black cats–used to be chased out of graveyards in case they were the Cat Sith trying to steal someone’s soul. [9]
Witchcraft and the Medieval Era
Medieval Europe was fertile ground for negative folklore about black cats. In 1233, Pope Gregory IX declared that black cats are an incarnation of the devil [12]. Christians across the continent took the message to heart, rounding up black cats and burning them alive at village festivals as “punishment” [12]. Western Christianity continued to view cats as emissaries of Satan for hundreds of years. So many black cats were killed during the Medieval era that domestic cats were nearly extinct in parts of Europe by the 1300s [12]. It’s thought that the loss of so many cats may actually have contributed to the spread of bubonic plague [4]. No cats means lots and lots of rats. Tragically, the people of Medieval Europe had no idea what good luck the cats were to have around.
Over time, it wasn’t as common to believe that black cats were literally the devil, but rather that they did the work of the devil through witchcraft. One version of the superstition held that black cats were more likely to be the familiars of witches [3, 6, 12]. A familiar is an animal which aids in the performance of magic or carries out magical tasks. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that cats, especially those with black pelts, helped witches to carry out evil spells, spy on their victims, and communicate with the devil [4, 11]. Some people even thought that black cats could become a witch themselves if they served as a witch’s familiar for seven years [12].
The other incarnation of this belief was that black cats were witches in disguise [3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12]. According to one Welsh folktale, a popular inn owned by two sisters had trouble with a thief stealing the valuables of travelers [8]. The lodgers couldn’t explain how the thefts occurred because their rooms were still locked in the morning, yet their money was gone [8]. Word of this mystery reached a retired army officer named Huw Llwyd, and he went to stay at the inn himself to solve it [8]. At night, he kept his sword in bed and pretended to sleep, until he saw two cats slink down the partition between his room and the next [8].
The cats played with Huw’s clothes until one of them found the pocket where he kept his purse. The cat stuck their paw in, but Huw sprang forward and sliced the paw off. Both cats screamed and disappeared into the night. The next morning, one of the innkeepers was absent. Huw inquired after her, but her sister said she was indisposed. Huw refused to leave until he bid her goodbye. Of course, he found that the “indisposed” sister was missing her right hand, as he had expected. Huw ran the witches out of town. [8]
Another gruesome legend, this one from Lincolnshire, England, tells of a father and son who came upon a black cat. Suspecting it of being a witch, they pelted it with stones. The next day, they saw the witch in her human form. She had bandages on her face. She died soon thereafter. [3]
Bad Luck and Bad Omens
In North America, it is still a common maxim that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck. Scholars think that Norman and Germanic peoples originated this saying [4]. They believed that spotting a black cat was an omen of death [4]. The Norse goddess Hel, who was associated with death, included black cats among her symbols [3]. Later European folklore evolved to say that a black cat crossing your path by moonlight meant an outbreak of disease and death was coming [6].
In 16th century Italy, a black cat laying on someone’s sickbed was thought to herald their death [11]. In parts of Wales, an old proverb cautions “Na chadw byth yn nghyleh dy dŷ/Na cheiliog gwyn na chath ddu,” or “Never keep about thy house/A white rooster or black cat” [8]. And of course, vestiges of belief in witchcraft alone have sometimes given black cats a reputation for being evil or bad luck in the Western world [3].
Cats are an integral part of folklore all over the world. Books and movies have spotlighted the notion that black cats are bad luck, but many cultures still believe just the opposite. Even within a country, opinions may differ. In Wales, although one proverb cautions against ever keeping a black cat, another traditional saying promises that having a black cat in the house brings good luck and drives away fevers [8].
A black cat, I’ve heard it said,
Can charm all ill away,
And keep the house wherein she dwells
From fever’s deadly sway.
Welsh folk-lore by Elias Owen (1896)
Japan holds cats in high regard in general. The Japanese say that black cats specifically bring a certain kind of luck. Owning a black cat will bring suitors to a woman’s door [4]. Simply encountering a black cat may bring luck in love [11]. Lucky Maneki Neko or “beckoning cat” statues are sometimes black. Black Maneko Neko are believed to ward off evil and illness.
Additionally, some sailors believe that black cats are extra lucky to have onboard a ship [6, 11]. Fishermen’s wives sometimes kept black cats to ensure their husbands returned home safely [6]. In Scotland, a black cat appearing at your door or on your porch is said to bring prosperity [11]. And in a variety of places, dreaming of a black cat or finding a single white hair in one’s pelt is good luck [11]. So it really depends who you ask whether black cats bring bad luck or good. Unfortunately, it is the black cats themselves who may be the recipients of their reputed curse.
Are Black Cats in Danger at Halloween?
Rumor has it that Halloween is not a good time to be a black cat. Expert opinion on the matter is mixed, however. For a long time, some animal shelters have refused to adopt out black cats during October/near Halloween [1, 2, 5, 10]. There are two reasons for this. One is that they fear the animals will be ritualistically killed or tortured for a sick Halloween “prank” [1, 2, 5, 10]. The other is that people might adopt a black cat in a flurry of seasonal spirit, then abandon their kitty when Spooky Season is over [1, 10].
Without a doubt, there are people who hurt animals just because they can. Whether black cats are at high risk around Halloween, it’s hard to say for certain. Part of that fear is clearly rooted in misunderstanding. Halloween is celebrated by neo-pagans as Samhain, an old Gaelic festival of the dead. Combined with the vestiges of the Satanic Panic, we’re left with the belief that witches and Satanists sacrifice black cats at Halloween in arcane rituals [1, 2, 5]. Real witches and Satanists aren’t about that sort of thing. It wouldn’t be surprising for a neo-pagan to engage in ritual magic on Samhain, but they won’t be killing any black cats in the process.
What about those who engage in the sadly ordinary forms of animal cruelty? Are black cats “an easy target for Halloween pranksters who commit violent acts against unsuspecting kitties,” as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals tells us [10]? They certainly can be. But so are cats of other colors, and puppies, and gerbils, and whatever other innocent animals they might get their hands on. It doesn’t have to be Halloween for people like that to engage in such unconscionable behavior, either. It happens all the time. Fortunately, a lot of animal shelters have measures in place to prevent people from adopting an animal just so they can torture it. It still happens sometimes, but not as often as it might. Animal shelters don’t make you fill out all that paperwork for the fun of it.
According to Francis Battista, cofounder of Best Friends Animal Society, “There is no evidence that black cats are at special risk of abuse if adopted around Halloween” [1]. What about the second problem, though? Do people actually adopt black cats as nothing more than Halloween decorations? There doesn’t seem to be any data on this. It would be a hard thing to study, after all. Who would want to admit to that? These days, more shelters are accepting whatever small risk there might be of this and relinquishing their bans on October black cat adoptions so that more black cats can find loving homes [1].
Are Black Cats Less Likely to Be Adopted?
The more opportunities black cats have to be adopted, the better, because there is some data to suggest that black cats may have a harder time finding homes. Lepper et al studied cat and dog adoptions at the Sacramento County Department of Animal Care and Regulation for 20 months [7]. They analyzed six factors they thought might contribute to adoption rates: breed, coat color, age, sex (including intact or sterilized), hair length, and reason for impoundment [7]. Among their findings, the data indicated that coat color in cats made a difference in how often they were adopted. The researchers set tabby cats as the baseline [7]. Black cats were only adopted 59% as often as tabbies!
Happy Halloween! – Image by LorysCats from Pixabay
This supports the common maxim that black cats are less likely to be adopted than other colors. However, brown cats were in the same boat, adopted 56% as often as tabbies [7]. And black-and-white cats, which I’ve always heard are less adoptable, too, were not adopted at a statistically different rate than tabbies [7]. White, color-point, and gray cats were adopted more often, if you were curious [7]. Additionally, a 2013 study at Colorado State University concluded that it takes 4-6 days longer for black cats to be adopted than cats of any other color [12].
The observations of shelter workers count for something in their own right. They tend to report that black and black-and-white cats stay in the shelter longer and are euthanized more often. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals claims that it’s all a myth [10]. They say that the only reason there are more black cats in shelters is because there are more black cats in the population [10]. Black coat color comes from a dominant gene, making it a very common color in domestic cats.
Still, shelter staff have their own say on the matter. “There definitely is a preference for other colors in my opinion. We have adopted out more than 10,000 cats and time and time again, black cats are always overlooked,” explains Samantha Shelton, president of Furkids no-kill shelter in Georgia, USA [10]. Whatever the truth about their adoption rate, black cats need loving homes just like all other kitties. Some shelters have special adoption days for black cats and dogs, sometimes on Black Friday or perhaps August 17, National Black Cat Appreciation Day in the US! So adopt, don’t shop, and give a black cat a forever haunt.
Lepper, M., Kass, P. H., and Hart, L. A. (2002). Prediction of adoption versus euthanasia among dogs and cats in a California animal shelter. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 5(1), 29-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/S15327604JAWS0501_3
