The
use of the name Panthera for this genus is in keeping with Corbet (1978),
Ellerman and Morrison-Scott (1966), Hemmer (1978), Leyhausen (1979), Mazak
(1981), and most of the other authorities cited herein. A few authorities,
such as Cabrera (1957) and Stains (1984), consider Panthera to be invalid
for technical reasons of nomenclature and prefer to use the generic term
Leo. Some authorities, including Hall (1981), do not consider Panthera to be
generically distinct from Felis. Uncia was treated as a separate genus by
Guggisberg (1975), Hemmer (1972, 1978), and Leyhausen (1979) but not by
(1978), Ellerman and Morrison-Scott (1966), and Ewer (1973). Leyhausen
placed P. tigris in the genus Neofelis. Both Hemmer (1978) and Mazak (1981)
divided Panthera into only two subgenera: Tigris, with P. tigris; and
Panthera, with P. pardus, P. onca, and P. leo.
Panthera pardus(Leopard): Leopards are famous for their ability to
go undetected. They may live practically among humans and still be tough to
spot. They are graceful and stealthy. Amongst the big cats they are probably
the most accomplished stalkers. They are good, agile climbers and can
descend from a tree headfirst. Along with climbing, they are strong swimmers
but not as fond of water as tigers; for example, leopards will not lay in
water. The leopard seems to be more adaptable to the presence and activities
of people than is the tiger and still occurs over a greater portion of its
original range. Nonetheless, it is confronted by the same
problems--persecution as a predator, value as a trophy, commercial demand
for its beautiful fur, and loss of habitat. Man-eating leopards, though
representing only a tiny percentage of the species, have undeniably been a
menace in some areas. One in India, for example, is said to have killed over
200 people.
Panthera leo (Lion): Lions are some of the most revered animals in
human history. Lions were thought of as a God in many ancient civilizations.
Pelts, claws, fur, teeth, and other animal products were sold for money.
Some people hunt lions for sport, and some animals are held captive in
zoos.Lions are carnivores; their diet consists of a variety of meats ranging
from small insects to large herbivores such as giraffes. The lionesses are
the hunters in the pride, hunting either in the morning or at night. Packs
of lionesses form within a single pride. The lionesses hide in small groups
to ambush their prey. As soon as one of the lionesses spot the prey and is
in postion, she begins her attack. by sinking her teeth into the neck area
of the prey and cuting off the air supply.
Panthera onca (Jaguar): The jaguar is the largest species of cat
native to the Western Hemisphere. Jaguars are muscular cats with relatively
short, massive limbs and a deep-chested body. They are cinnamon-buff in
color with many black spots; melanistic forms are also known, primarily from
the southern part of the range. Jaguars have a reputation for being
human-eaters. However, numerous stories of men being followed for miles
through the forest by solitary jaguars may suggest that they are merely
escorting them off their territory and not stalking them as prey. There are
also stories from the Amazonian Indians that tell of jaguars emerging from
the forest to play with village children. Jaguars are revered in many
indigenous American cultures. The Maya believed that the Jaguar, God of the
Underworld, helped the sun to travel under the earth at night, ensuring its
new rising every morning.
