Bad-Ass Animals: the Black Panther

Continuing my Bad-Ass Animals series, nobody is more fitting than the Black Panther.  Black panthers are actually classified as a "melanistic" (dark) color variant of several species of big cats: in Latin America they are Black Jaguars, Asia and Africa they are Leopards, and N. America they are Black Cougars.  Something I didn't know is Black Panthers are reported as "Cryptids" (unrecognized by scientific consensus--think: Bigfoot) in the US, UK and Australia.  Which makes them even cooler.  They adapt well to many different environments but, big shocker here, humans are the biggest threat to their survival.  They are endangered in most places and are considered vulnerable to their continued existence.

So, let's take a minute to admire these bad-ass beauties.

 (All photos on Flickr except where indicated)

You just KNOW you're a cool animal if sports teams, revolutionary groups and even superhero comics are named after you.  You look cool even when you're just sittin' in the grass, chillin'.

Ok, so you may start off your life as frighteningly cute...(Photo)

....but soon you start to grow up and develop your sense of style...

...then before you know it, you get that look in your eyes that says "You talkin' to me?  Didn't think so."

That's when imitation sets in.

Cats aspire to be you.  (That's my Poe, hiding her tuxedo markings, trying to be cool).  (My pic)

Militants  use your name.

Tattoos soon follow.

In their many incarnations.

You become the artists muse.  ("La Pantera y su Piano")

And combine both art and tattoos.  (This photo is on Flickr, but the artist is Ace-Symmetric)

And of course are perfect for velvet paintings--3rd only behind Jesus and Elvis.

Marvel elevates you to Super Hero status.

Action figures soon follow.

And yes, sometimes the sincerest form of compliment becomes unfortunate.

And even more unfortunate, you are caught and caged so others can experience your beauty.

And yet you still prevail...

Giving the world a lesson in "cool".

To learn more about Panthers, visit the Black Panther website.