A black panther is a real animal, but it is not a separate species. The name "black panther" is used to describe a jaguar or a leopard that has black fur because of a genetic condition called melanism, which causes an excess of dark pigment in the skin and fur. Black panthers live in dense forests and jungles in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, depending on whether they are leopards or jaguars. They are powerful, fast, and stealthy predators, known for hunting silently, mostly at night. Even though their fur looks completely black, their characteristic spots can still be seen under strong light.