Photo by
Robert
Shepardson Description and
Characteristics: African leopards have a great variation in coat
color, depending on location and habitat, having pale yellow to tawny dark
circular rosettes on the flanks, back and tail. They have solid spots on their
faces and whitish colur below. Black forms occur.
Leopards are one of
the most common cats in Africa, however, they are also the most reclusive and
as such are difficult to spot, often blending in with their surroundings. They
are nocturnal, most active at dusk and tend to hunt in the evenings and early
mornings, which another reason why they are not seen often.
Adults are
generally solitary animals with the males and females only coming into contact
with one another to mate.
Feeding/drinking
Habits: Leopards are carnivores and hunt small antelopes,
warthogs, hyraxes and monkeys/baboons, their diet also includes birds and
repiles. They store their kill up trees to keep it safe from Lions and Hyenas.
Habitat: They can be found in
most of sub-Saharan Africa. Their habitat is wide and they can be seen in
semi-arid land, scrubland, Bush, savannahs, mountain lowland rainforests,
riverine forest and rocky outcrops. They like to sun themselves on termite
mounds or rocky outcrops.
Size &
Lifespan Male leopards are larger than females, weighing up to
130-200 lbs, whilst females weigh between 75 and 88 lbs. They grow up to 2.3
meters long at stand approx 28 inches at the shoulder for adults. Generally
they live for 15-20 years in the wild
Reproduction: Leopards breed all year round, and
can have between 2 to 6 cubs. The females will raise the cubs by themselves.
The gestation period is anything from 90-112 days and they will become
independant adults at between 18 to 22 months. Leopard cubs are kept hidden for
the first couple of months and at about 4 months old the mother starts to train
the cubs to hunt small animals.
Predators and
Threats: Humans have been and a remain the main threat to the
survival of leopards, whose numbers, whilst currently numerous, are decreasing.
Human induced habitat loss, fragmentation/degradation, hunting/gathering, pest
control is having a continued impact in the survivals of leopards. Photos of
Leopards (Click on thumbnail images for large photo)
Face to Face with Leopards - by
Dereck Joubert and Beverly Joubert National Geographic
Explorers-in-Residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert take you closer to the
mystery of the magnificent leopard and make a passionate plea to young readers
to help secure a future for these feline treasures. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA(amazon.co.uk) - Europe
Leopards (Wildlife Monographs) -
by Fritz Polking In the book, lavishly illustrated with stunning
photographs, the author tells of the Leopard's history, distribution, habitat,
diets, social structures and its relationship with Man. Buy
From (amazon.com) - USA(amazon.co.uk) - Europe
Leopards and Cheetahs: The Lords of the
Savannah (Art of Being...) - by Christine Denis-Huot, Michel
Denis-Huot (Authors) In this spectacular photographic study, the
husband-and-wife team of distinguished naturalist, provide readers with a rare
glimpse into the everyday lives of these compelling creatures. Their
exceptional photography vividly brings to life the excitement of a young
cheetah's first hunt, the languid relaxation of a leopard's midday nap, and the
sheer strength and beauty of these glorious big cats in their natural habitat.
Buy From (amazon.com) - USA(amazon.co.uk) - Europe
