Solitary and most frequently nocturnal, the leopard hunts by stealth rather than by speed or numbers. Despite its relative success, the leopard, as with all the great cats, is an endangered species due to habitat loss and excessive hunting for it's prized coat. Often mistaken for a jaguar, the leopard has the classic rosette coat pattern of dark brown or black irregular circles against a golden, tan, or yellow background. While the jaguar has fewer and larger rosettes which enclose smaller spots. The leopard's tail is generally darker while the underbelly is white with less clearly defined rosettes.
Coloration varies from region to region and among subspecies.
A black panther is actually a melanistic leopard. They have rosette markings, on a very dark fur background which often appears black except in bright light. The gene for melanism is recessive, so parents who have normal coat coloration can produce black offspring. Melanism is somewhat more frequent in heavily forested areas where it serves as an advantage to camouflage. Videos on Leopards from Chapers.ca National Geo.