 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NAVIGATION
MENU |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Home |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Animal
Facts |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Featured
Species |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Endangered
Species |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Deadliest
Animals |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Animal
Stories |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Chatroom |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Tell
a Friend |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Newsletter |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Privacy
Statement |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Contact
Us |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Leopard
Characteristics |
Scientific Name:
Panthera pardus |
Family Name:
Felidae |
Location:
W.,C.,S.,E., and S.E. Asia, and Africa. In lowland
forest, mountains, grassland, brush country, and semiarid
desert. |
Size:
3-6 1/4ft (0.9-1.9m) |
Weight:
82-200 lb (37-90kg) |
Social Unit:
Solitary
|
Gestation:
90-105 days |
Birth:
1 - 6 |
Diet:
Large mammals, small mammals, birds and arthropods
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leopard
|
| |
| |
|
| |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Leopard Description |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
Widely
distributed over different habitats, the Leopard is
extremely varied both in appearance and in prey preference.
Varying in color with habitat, these large cats may
be pale yellow in deserts and deeper yellow in grassland.
The Leopards diet ranges from tiny creatures such as
dung beetles to animals much larger than itself, such
as antelopes. A large victim may provide enough food
for two weeks, although such kills are usually made
every three days, and twice as often by a female with
cubs.
The Leopard's large head has powerful jaws that enable
it to kill and dismember prey. An adept climber with
immensely stong shoulders and forelimbs, the Leopard
often drags its prey up into trees, for immediate consumption
as well as for caching ( hiding for future use ) Up
in the branches, it can eat undisturbed, the meat remaining
safe from scavengers such as hyenas and jackals. Individual
Leopards usually keep to a specific area, defending
it against others, although a range of a male may include
that of one or more females.
The Leopard is a solitary animal, but there are reports
of males remaining with females after mating and helping
to rear the cubs. More adaptable than the Tiger to the
presence of humans, The Leopard often hunts for prey
within a few miles of large towns.It has survived well,
despite numerous threats to its existence.
Usually nocturnal, the Leopard rests by day on the branches
of a tree or remains hidden in dense vegetation. Large
trees are important for a female with cubs, both to
escape from danger and as a place to hide food for her
young.
Persecuted as a predator, and for its beautiful spotted
fur, the Leopard is also threatened by the loss of habitat
and prey. |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
