Leopard

Species

Globally, there are 8 leopard subspecies (as at 2017).

Panthera pardus pardus
Panthera pardus nimr
Panthera pardus tulliana
Panthera pardus fusca
Panthera pardus kotiya
Panthera pardus melas
Panthera pardus delacouri
Panthera pardus orientalis

African leopard
Arabian leopard
South West Asian
Indian leopard
Sri Lankan leopard
Javan leopard
South East Asian leopard
Eastern leopard

Population

As a global species, the IUCN consider leopards as vulnerable with populations decreasing. However, some subspecies are endangered (Sri Lankan) or critically endangered ( Arabian, Javan, South East Asian and Eastern Asian leopards).
The African leopard is thought to number around 700,000.

Size

African leopards are 1.6 - 2.3 m long. They can weigh between 17 and 65 kg and stand 60-70cm tall.

Habitat & distribution

African leopards are found in 35 African countries. They live in numerous habitats including desert, semi-desert, savanna grasslands, mountainous environments and rainforests.

Spotted coats

A leopard's pale yellow coat provide camouflage in trees and grass. Their spots are irregularly shaped and are called rosettes. There are variations in coat colour depending on the location and habitat. The African Wildlife Foundation says the rosettes can be more circular in Eastern African leopards and more square shaped in South African leopards.

Diet

These carnivores are cunning, opportunistic hunters -whatever is available is what they hunt. While they prefer mid-sized ungulates (antelopes, gazelles and deer weighing between 10 and 40 kg), they are known to eat carrion, fish, reptiles, birds, rodents, hares, warthogs and baboons.

Interesting facts

Leopards are strong climbers. Their shoulder blades have special attachment sites for stronger climbing muscles. They spend a lot of their time in trees, even when stalking prey and when eating. They store their kill high up in trees out of reach of scavengers. Leopards are also strong swimmers.

Group

Leopards are solitary and nocturnal. Cubs stay with their mothers for about 2 years. Females are usually nomadic, except for about 8 weeks after the birth of her cubs. Males have a large home range. which overlaps the range of several females and other males.

Breeding & lifespan

Leopards are non-seasonal breeders and can have litters all year round. The gestation period is 2.5 months. A litter is usually 2-3 cubs, weighing 500-600 grams each.
Leopards can live to 12-15 years in the wild.

Predators & threats

Humans are the main threat to leopards. They have been hunted for their skins for ceremonial or church rituals and for trophies. Leopards are also killed when they threaten livestock. In the past 22 years, the leopards range has decreased by 31% worldwide due to habitat fragmentation or loss from human settlement.