Here's the breakdown:
* "Panther" is not a distinct species, but rather a general term used for several different big cat species.
* Most commonly, "panther" refers to:
* Black leopards: These are leopards with a melanistic (dark) coat.
* Black jaguars: These are jaguars with a melanistic (dark) coat.
* Other big cats sometimes referred to as panthers:
* Cougar: Although they are not truly black, they are sometimes referred to as "mountain lions" or "panthers."
So, depending on the context, a panther could be a leopard, a jaguar, or even a cougar.