What type of animal is a panther scientifically classified as?

A panther is scientifically classified as a mammal. This classification is due to several defining characteristics of mammals, including having a backbone, being warm-blooded, possessing fur or hair, and typically giving birth to live young and nursing them with milk produced by mammary glands.

Panthers, often referring to black leopards or black jaguars, belong to the Felidae family, which encompasses all cats. Being part of this family further emphasizes the characteristics typical of mammals, such as complex social structures, a high degree of sensory perception, and specific reproductive strategies. This distinguishes panthers from other animal types like reptiles, birds, or amphibians, which have different physiological traits and reproductive methods.