African Leopard

Description

This large cat has rosette spots on body with solid black spots on legs, head, sides and hindquarters. The leopard's tail is about half of its total length with a white tip. It has round white tipped ears and the underparts are usually white to off white.

Characteristics

silent, secretive animals - excellent climber and good swimmers. Leopards have a wide habitat with a preference for forests and hilly areas.

Drinking water is not an essential requisite but cover is. They mark territories with urine and droppings and they also exhibit clawing the bark of trees. Generally a silent animal, the leopard has a characteristic call similar to that of a rough saw cutting wood.

Breeding

these solitary animals come together only to mate and stay together for several days. After a gestation period of about 100 days litters of 2 to 3 cubs are born. Birthing normally takes place in dense bush or amongst rocks. Families will stay together for up to 2 years before splitting up.

Feeding

Active mainly at night, the leopards diet is varied and includes insects, rodents, birds to medium and large antelope. Given the chance, leopards will scavenge and any excess food is taken and stored in the tree "larder".

An indication of the leopard's strength is shown by its ability to carry carcasses weighing in excess of 50 kg up vertical tree trunks.

Its hunting technique relies on stealth to stalk its prey before pouncing.

Front Pawprint 92mm

General

Trapped, wounded or threatened the leopard can be extremely dangerous - but under normal circumstances it is shy and will withdraw .