Black Leopards are actually dark brown, with the same pattern of black spots as any other leopard but not as visible. Black coated leopards inherited a melanistic gene that produces different coat coloration. They belong to the same Spotted Leopard species inhabiting ranges from China to Africa. These solitary animals (except during mating season) occupy areas from 4-12 square miles with overlapping boundaries and feed on small mammals and birds. They live about 12 years.