What is the common name for a black panther?

The common name for a black panther is not actually a distinct species, but rather a melanistic (dark-colored) variant of two species:

* Leopard: (Panthera pardus) - The most common "black panther" is a melanistic leopard.

* Jaguar: (Panthera onca) - Black jaguars are also found in the Americas.

So, a "black panther" is simply a black-furred leopard or jaguar.