The leopard is one of the most distinguished members of the genus Panthera. Scientifically known as the Panthera pardus. The Leopard is a medium-sized wildcat that is natively found in a variety of different habitats across sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. A member of the “Big Cat” family, the Leopard is an agile and opportunistic hunter that has been able to exploit habitats unused by other large felines as it spends a great deal of its time high in the tree branches. Meet the sleek leopard, a clever and vicious predator...
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| The English word “leopard” is derived from two Greek words, "Leon" and "pardos". “Leon,” which means lion, and “pardos,” which means spotted. |
The Leopard is an animal with a long and slender body that is supported by short, stocky legs and a long tail that is used to aid balance whilst in the trees. Leopards can vary greatly in their colouration and markings depending on their surrounding habitat, with those found on open grasslands
having a light yellow background coat where those that are found in forests tend to be darker in colour and with more markings. The dark, ring-like patterns that cover the Leopard’s coat are called rosettes, but these turn to solid spots on the face and limbs (and rings on the tail) and provide the Leopard with camouflage into the surrounding environment. Leopards are incredibly strong and muscular animals and are able to pull themselves up trees using their legs and retractable claws. Like a number of other large feline species, the Leopard is able to draw their claws into folds of skin on their paws to ensure that they are not blunted whilst the animal is walking about. Their keen hearing and sight coupled with their long and very sensitive whiskers, means that Leopards are also incredibly well adapted for hunting under the cover of night.
The Leopard is a solitary and nocturnal animal that hunts both on the ground and in the trees. They are excellent climbers and spend the vast majority of the daytime hours resting in the shade of the branches in the trees or under a sheltered rock. They are quite unique amongst large felines as Leopards rely heavily on being able to get close enough to their prey before ambushing it, rather than expelling vast amounts of energy in a high-speed chase. Once caught and killed, the prey is then dragged to safety either into dense vegetation a couple of hundred meters away or up a tree trunk and into the branches. Leopards are highly solitary animals that mark their territory using scent markings and by producing rough, rasping calls that are said to sound like the sawing through coarse wood. Home range sizes vary depending on the habitat and the food available but those of male Leopards are significantly larger than those of their female counterparts, which often overlap the ranges of a number of both males and other females (sometimes by up to 40%).
But just what is it about leopards that makes them so adaptable?
Size
Weight: 30kg - 90kg (66lbs - 198lbs)
Length: 100cm - 190cm (40in - 75in)
Speed
Top Speed: 6 mph
Senses
Amazing sense of sight, especially night vision
Good sense of smell
Great hearing allows them to hear prey miles away
Defenses
Solitary and Nocturnal animal
Medium-sized
Can quickly run away from enemies
Offensive Powers
Sharp claws can gash foes
Paw strikes can deliver a powerful, staggering blow
Strong biting power can splinter bones and tear prey open.
Predatory Behaviors
Endurance predator or Ambush predator
Agile and opportunistic hunter
Leopards are known the world over for their distinctive spots and hunting prowess. Loved by some, feared by many, and recognizable to all. If you’ve ever watched a housecat stalk its prey, you’ll appreciate its preternatural stealth and grace. Now imagine a much larger cat crouched in the shadows, eyes glowing in a spotted golden face...
What do you think you’d do if you spotted this on a safari...??
It would be quite the story to tell...
Safari Warriors promises you opportunities beyond your imagination but within your reach....
Book a safari trip with us to discover more about the #birdsofkenya and other incredible animals.
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