#melanistic

[mammalianmammals]

Oncilla or Tigrillo (Leopardus tigrinus), MELANISTIC, family Felidae, Panama

Also called Northern Tiger Cat and Little Spotted Cat

photograph by Ignacio Yúfera

[natureisthegreatestartist]

What's this? A melanistic serval, which has dark fur instead of the usual light coat with spots. Freaky and fabulous, yes?

[felinefractious]

🐱 Bengal

📸 Bastet Exotics

🎨 Seal Point

[jagalart]

the variety of barn owl

I've always liked how different they can be! Melanistic ones are definitely my favourites, I love that mutation in any animals 🖤 I've drawn these variations some time ago for my owl magnet set 🖤

[maureen2musings]

willemspan

[amnhnyc]

Behold a black cat of a different kind: this melanistic serval (Leptailurus serval). Also known as the “giraffe cat,” servals have the longest legs in proportion to their body size of any feline. Found in parts of Africa, this predator can jump more than 9 ft (2.7 m) into the air to snatch birds in flight. Individuals like the one pictured, which are rare in the wild, are affected by a genetic mutation called melanism, which results in their dark coloring. Scientists think there are some advantages that come with having a dusky coat, including being able to more seamlessly blend in with the darkness of the night and take in heat more efficiently in the Sun.

Photo: Stan Rullman, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist 

[dogwood-barks]

Melanistic Coyote (Canis Latrans)

[udarrthebestudarr]

Examples of different patterns and colors that lolligos can have.

Northern and eastern forest dwellers can afford to be darker in color due to the amount of time they spend in the shade of the “trees”. For nomads being darker it depends if the kindred they come is nocturnal or Diurnal.

Eyes appear as a teal blue color instead of red because of their blood.