* Panthers are not native to Florida: The animal you likely saw was a Florida panther, a subspecies of cougar, which is a large wild cat native to the southeastern United States.
* "White panther" is a misleading term: There's no such thing as a white panther in the wild. "White panther" often refers to a white tiger, a color variation found in captive tiger populations.
* Leucism, not albinism: White Florida panthers are extremely rare. While some panthers may have a lighter coat due to leucism (a partial lack of pigmentation), true albinism (complete lack of pigmentation) is even rarer.
What you likely saw:
* A Florida panther with a lighter coat: It's possible you saw a panther with a paler coat due to leucism. This is a rare occurrence, but not impossible.
* A domesticated cat: While large, many domestic cat breeds can be quite large. If you were at some distance, it's possible the cat appeared larger than it was.
If you think you saw a Florida panther, it's important to:
* Report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): They are the best authority to confirm a sighting and investigate.
* Keep your distance: Florida panthers are wild animals and can be dangerous. Never approach one.
Remember, while it's exciting to think you saw a white panther, it's more likely you saw a Florida panther with a lighter coat or a large domestic cat.