What is the name of a wild white cat? - briefly
A wild white cat is often referred to as a white tiger, though it is technically a variant of the Bengal or Siberian tiger rather than a distinct species.
What is the name of a wild white cat? - in detail
A wild white cat is often referred to as a "white panther," though this term is not scientifically specific. The white coloration in wild cats is typically the result of genetic mutations such as leucism or albinism. Leucism causes a partial loss of pigmentation, resulting in white or pale fur while retaining normal eye color, whereas albinism results in a complete lack of melanin, producing white fur and pink or blue eyes. Among wild cats, the most commonly associated species with white variants are the leopard (Panthera pardus) and the jaguar (Panthera onca). In the case of leopards, a white individual is often called a "white leopard," and in jaguars, it is referred to as a "white jaguar." These white variants are exceptionally rare in the wild due to the genetic rarity of the mutations and the potential disadvantages they pose, such as reduced camouflage. Additionally, the term "snow leopard" (Panthera uncia) is sometimes mistakenly associated with white wild cats, but snow leopards are a distinct species native to the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia, and their natural fur color is a mix of gray and white, adapted to their snowy habitats.