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Can Panthers Be Kept As Pets? Panther Facts

By Jake Willhoite · · Updated

Can Panthers Be Kept As Pets
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There are many pictures of black panthers with their owners on the internet. These pictures make panthers look like good pets. Do you think it is a good idea to keep panthers as pets?

No. "Panther" isn't one species. It is a general term for leopards, jaguars and cougars: a black panther is a leopard or jaguar with a black coat, and the Florida panther is a cougar.

All of these are big cats, and in the United States the Big Cat Public Safety Act ended private ownership of them as pets in 2022. Only grandfathered owners and licensed facilities such as zoos and sanctuaries may keep them.

Below are facts about these big cats. After reading them, you will understand why it’s never a good idea to keep a panther at your house or in your neighborhood.

Why Are Panthers Not Good Pets?

Many people want a pet panther because cubs look cute. They don't realize how dangerous these cats become when they grow up.

Panthers are not like house cats that live on cat food in an apartment. They need large, secure enclosures, a specialized meat diet and a veterinarian experienced with big cats.

A panther raised by people may get used to them, but it keeps its wild instincts. That is why panthers cannot be trusted. Domestication takes many generations of selective breeding, and big cats have never been domesticated.

So to make it clear, panthers are not good pets for three reasons:

  • The first is they have many needs which can be expensive.
  • The second is it’s illegal to keep one as a pet in the United States and many other countries, and violations carry penalties.
  • The third is because panthers are dangerous animals that can hurt people and other pets in your neighborhood.

I think we humans should protect these animals in the wild rather than try to turn them into something they are not. Keeping a panther as a pet is hard on the people involved and cruel to the cat.

Can You Train A Panther?

It is hard to train a pet panther. A big cat raised by people may tolerate handlers, but its wild instincts remain. One mistake around an adult cat can lead to serious injury.

How Much Does A Panther Cost?

There is no legal pet market for panthers in the United States, so there is no real "price." The real costs are the enclosure, food and specialist veterinary care, which put these cats out of reach for private owners.

A big cat eats large amounts of meat and needs a secure enclosure of its own. It can't live in your home because it is too dangerous.

This is why you see panthers in zoos and sanctuaries. If you want to see a panther, visit an accredited zoo. Zoo tickets are much cheaper than owning a panther, and far safer.

In the United States, no. The Big Cat Public Safety Act covers leopards, jaguars and cougars, which includes black panthers and Florida panthers.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service explains that the Act, enacted December 20, 2022, aims to end private ownership of big cats as pets. Existing owners had to register their cats by June 18, 2023, and registration is now closed.

Florida panthers have extra protection because they are an endangered subspecies, so harming or possessing one is a federal crime.

How Dangerous Panthers Are?

Panthers can be very dangerous if they feel threatened. An adult big cat can kill a human being.

Claims that panthers can kill buffalo and elephants are exaggerated. Leopards and jaguars hunt prey such as deer, antelope, pigs, caimans and turtles, not adult elephants. You also couldn't outrun one, because big cats run faster than you!

How Fast Panthers Run?

Leopards can run in bursts up to 36 miles per hour, according to the San Diego Zoo. Their flexible spine and long tail help them turn quickly while chasing prey.

Big cats can change direction quickly, which helps them catch prey that zigzags. You can never outrun a panther.

How Powerful Is Their Bite?

Panthers have powerful bites like the other big cats in the wild. They are among the most effective predators in their habitats.

Jaguars have large jaw muscles, and the San Diego Zoo notes they kill prey by piercing the skull with their teeth, which lets them eat caimans and turtles. Leopards also have a powerful bite that lets them haul heavy prey into trees. Specific bite-force numbers you see online vary a lot and are often not based on real measurements.

Are Panthers Aggressive?

Panthers are rarely seen by people in the wild because they are quiet and secretive. They are powerful predators, but they generally avoid people unless cornered or habituated.

Do Panthers Attack Humans?

Yes, it can happen. Leopard attacks on people have been recorded in Africa and Asia, and cougar attacks occasionally happen in North America. Attacks are rare, and these cats usually avoid humans, but any big cat can injure or kill a person if threatened.

What Do They Eat?

Panthers are carnivores, which means they eat meat from other animals.

What they hunt depends on the species and where they live. Below are some of the animals black leopards, jaguars and cougars eat:

  • Deer
  • Wild pigs
  • Rabbits
  • Dogs
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Livestock
  • Antelopes
  • Reptiles
  • Impalas
  • Gazelles

Panther cubs learn to hunt from their mothers. A mother with cubs needs to eat more to feed her growing family.

Can Humans Eat Panther Meat?

No, you shouldn't. Leopards, jaguars and Florida panthers are protected, so killing one for meat would be illegal in most places.

What Do Baby Panthers Look Like?

Big cat cubs are born with their eyes closed. Black panther cubs are dark from birth, and their spots can often be seen in the right light. Below are the pictures of baby panthers of different colors.

Can Panthers Be Pets Can Panthers Be Pets

Yes, baby panthers are cute animals. However, this can’t be a reason for you to own one. Even though they are cute today, they will be dangerous in the future once they grow up.

Are Panthers An Endangered Species?

Black panthers aren't a separate species, so their status depends on whether they are leopards or jaguars. Leopards are listed as vulnerable, and the San Diego Zoo notes that all leopard subspecies are endangered or threatened. Jaguars are also listed as threatened.

The Florida panther is a subspecies of cougar listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Only a small population survives in southern Florida.

Habitat loss and conflict with people are the main threats to these big cats.

Where Do They Live Naturally?

Black leopards are most common in the dense, dark rainforests of Southeast Asia. The San Diego Zoo notes that leopards there can look solid black, but their spots show in certain light. Black jaguars live in the forests of Central and South America.

The Florida panther lives in southern Florida, in wetlands, swamps, pine and hardwood forests, and saw palmetto stands.

Are Panthers Stronger Than Lions?

An adult lion is much larger than a leopard or cougar and would usually win a fight. That is why leopards in Africa avoid lions and often rest and hide their kills in trees.

Alternative Pet For A Panther

There are cat breeds that look a little like black panthers and are completely safe to keep. The first is the Bombay cat. Bombay cats were bred to resemble a miniature black panther, but they are ordinary domestic cats and not related to wild panthers.

Below are the pictures of the Bombay cats:

Can Panthers Be Pets

The second breed of cat that looks a bit like a panther is the Burmese cat. Burmese cats come in colors such as brown, blue, chocolate, cream, lilac and tortie.

Below are the pictures of a Burmese cat:

If you want to learn more about cats, check out our articles about cats here! I have two cats in my house which is why you can rely on me when it comes to cat topics!

Final Words

Panthers are not pets. In the United States, the Big Cat Public Safety Act bans new private ownership of these big cats. Wild animals deserve to live in the wild, and we should help protect them rather than try to change them.

If you loved what you have read, feel free to share this article on your social media accounts!

Source: blackpantheranimal.com, mom.com, mammalfacts.com

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