I’D LIKE TO KNOW

QI was talking to my friend about “The Pink Panther” movie, when she made a throwaway remark that there’s no such thing as a black panther. Is this right?

AYour friend is correct. There is no specific species and the term black panther can be applied to any big cat with a black coat. According to the University of California, the black pigment within the hair shaft is caused by the agouti gene, most well known to occur in leopards and jaguars. A leopard really cannot change its spots, however, as although the hair can be mainly black the spots are still there – they’re just less visible!

QI am enjoying watching reruns of “Taggart” with the actor Alex Norton playing the boss. Can you remind me of the name of the actor who used to play the lead role?

AMrs D.E., Wrexham.

Mark Mcmanus played the title character DCI Jim Taggart in this popular, long-running television police drama. When the Scottish actor sadly died in 1994, the series continued under the same name. “Taggart” is centred round a group of detectives with Blythe Duff and John Michie playing central roles alongside Alex Norton. There were in excess of a hundred episodes filmed, with creator Glenn Chandler writing many of them, and the catchy theme music is “No Mean City”.

QCan you please settle a debate? My husband says that snails have teeth, but I’m sure he’s pulling my leg.

Mrs S.D., Arbroath.

AYour husband is correct – snails do have teeth. In fact, they have what look like tongues, which are called radulas, and each contains rows of tiny teeth which help with grinding and gripping food. The average garden snail has over 14,000 teeth.