Leopard
The Leopard is a large member of the Cat family and is closely related to Lions, Tigers and Jaguars. They can be found throughout Africa, Central Asia, China and India. The Leopard’s distinctive coat is an orange base marked with groupings of black spots called rosettes. It look similar to the Jaguar, but it’s rosettes are smaller as is it’s body overall.
Leopards are solitary creatures - males spend almost all of their time alone, and females as well unless they are mating or raising young. Their beautiful coats also function as a very effective camouflaging device amongst the sun dappled grasses in which they hunt. Leopards are extremely fast and strong , capable of reaching speeds of 35 mph. They can also jump nearly 10 feet in the air and leap 20 foot lengths. Additionally, they are capable of ascending trees, and will drag large prey up into the tree branches and consume it there.
They feed on many forms of deer and antelope as well as other varieties of smaller mammals, and also commonly prey on farmer’s livestock. Because of the expansion of farmland into Leopard habitat, run-ins with humans are quite common. Leopards are often shot or poisoned by farmers and poachers, and sadly, their hides and body parts are sought after in the thriving illegal poaching trade.
Leopards are solitary creatures - males spend almost all of their time alone, and females as well unless they are mating or raising young. Their beautiful coats also function as a very effective camouflaging device amongst the sun dappled grasses in which they hunt. Leopards are extremely fast and strong , capable of reaching speeds of 35 mph. They can also jump nearly 10 feet in the air and leap 20 foot lengths. Additionally, they are capable of ascending trees, and will drag large prey up into the tree branches and consume it there.
They feed on many forms of deer and antelope as well as other varieties of smaller mammals, and also commonly prey on farmer’s livestock. Because of the expansion of farmland into Leopard habitat, run-ins with humans are quite common. Leopards are often shot or poisoned by farmers and poachers, and sadly, their hides and body parts are sought after in the thriving illegal poaching trade.