Panthers

Panthers are large carnivorous felines seen in the Egypt levels of both Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider Anniversary. Screenshots from the forthcoming game Tomb Raider Underworld have also been released depicting them in a Meso-American environment.

Panthers are not a seperate species, but are in fact melanistic forms of either leopards, jaguars or American cougars, although this last is only a hypothesised occurrence. Panthers are not always black, but can occur in other colour variencies such as tawny or white.Melanism is a genetic defect caused either by dominant or recessive genes known as alleles. 'Black' panthers can share litters with more typically coloured others, can breed with typical specimens and produce typical cubs.

The most common variant of panthers are melanistic leopards, which are presumably those that Lara Croft encounters in Tomb Raider and the Anniversary Remake. In the case of Underworld, the animals could be melanistic jaguars or the previously unknown (but theorised) melanistic cougars or pumas.

Tomb Raider

Panthers appear in the levels of the temple-city of Khamoon, but not in the Sanctuary of the Scion. They are larger than their other feline counterparts, the lions and are faster on their feet. Often they are located in previously blocked rooms, and will only emerge when the player frees them.

Tomb Raider Anniversary

The animals are often placed in cages that have to be opened by Lara in order to progress through the level. At first encountered by themselves, later they often attack in groups of two or more.

Tomb Raider Underworld

Panthers occur around the ruins of Xibalba, the Mayan underworld. They are seen by themselves among the tracks between the ancient buildings, or fighting off poachers in the ruins themselves. They are extremely fast and difficult to evade.