AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — From high-school mascots to the Marvel Universe, black panthers have appeared in many forms in today’s culture. However, is this big cat real or just an illustrated piece of fiction? Alabama Cooperative Extension System wildlife experts are here to help uncover yet another big-cat mystery.
There are many names that people use to refer to the animal scientifically known as Puma concolor . These names include panther, mountain lion, cougar, puma, mountain devil, mountain screamer, catamount and others. Historically, panthers were in Alabama. However, Alabama Extension experts revealed in “ Mountain Lions: Alabama’s Big-Cat Mystery ” that there has yet to be a reliable verification in almost 70 years.
Fact or fiction?
There are many people in Alabama and beyond who claim to have encountered a black panther. However, Wesley Anderson , an Alabama Extension wildlife specialist, said when specifically referring to Puma concolor — the species most commonly referred to as panthers — there is no such thing as a black panther.