wow. it is beautiful.

Beautiful picture!

Introduction to melanism:

Melanin is the dark pigmentation which is responsible for the tanning process which occurs in humans when they're exposed to sunlight. In people it is actually a reaction to damage of the skin cells. A melanistic animal has an increased amount of this black or nearly black pigmentation in the skin, feathers, hair, or other outer tissues.

Melanism is the opposite of albinism and occurs with about the same frequency. The genetic basis is not clearly understood, but inbreeding is considered partially responsible.

The gene for melanism is recessive so melanistic cubs can be born to normally coloured parents and mixed litters containing both black and yellow-brown cubs are common.

These cats occur so often that many people mistakenly think they are a separate subspecies. As a result the name 'black panther' has been coined for them. To further add to the confusion, 'panther' is a term used for the puma.

The occurrence of melanism in leopards and jaguars does not hinder the animal in any way. Unlike albinism which makes animals stand out to predators and prey, melanism assists the concealment of jaguars and leopards on their night hunting raids.