Larisa and Sipura are the newborn panther twins recently showcased at Berlin’s Tierpark Zoo.
Though still smaller than a typical domestic cat, the tiny panthers boast sleek black fur and striking blue-green eyes that seem to peer curiously at the world. Born on April 26, these female cubs are still in their early stages of development.
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At birth, panther cubs have their eyes closed and do not open them until around ten days old. They remain immobile for the first two to three weeks and do not begin eating meat until they are nearly three months old.
Their permanent canine teeth emerge only by their first birthday; by age two, wild panthers are generally independent of their mothers.
Larisa and Sipura, seen clinging to a wicker basket at the zoo, continue to captivate visitors and photographers alike with their playful antics.
Despite their young age, these cubs are expected to live up to 20 years in captivity, compared to the typical twelve years they might live in the wild.
The term “black panther” often causes confusion, as it does not denote a specific subspecies. It generally refers to any large cat with a black coat, with recognized examples including black leopards and black jaguars. In the sunlight, subtle black spots can be seen beneath the cubs’ dark fur.
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