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Leopard
(Panther)
Panthera pardus
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 Appearance
Formerly widespread, the leopard
is now patchily distributed and many of its subspecies
are extinct or endangered. A strong, but elegant cat,
it has a long body and relatively short legs. Most
leopards are buff or tawny, with characteristic rosette-shaped
black spots, but some are entirely black and are known
as panthers. Panthers and leopards are otherwise identical.
Body: 1.3 - 1.9 m (4 1/4 - 6 1/4 ft), tail: 1.1 -
1.4 m (3 1/3 - 4 1/2 ft) |
Description
Leopards are solitary and normally
hunt day or night. In areas where they are persecuted,
however, leopards are nocturnal. They swim and climb
well and often lie basking in the sun on a branch.
Their sight and sense of smell are good, and their
hearing is exceptionally acute. |
Regions
Asia: Siberia to Korea, Sri
Lanka and Java; Middle East; Africa in desert to forest,
lowland plains to mountains |
Diet
Prey includes mammals up to
the size of large antelope, young apes -- particularly
baboons and monkeys -- birds, snakes, fish and domestic
livestock. Large items may be dragged up into a tree
for safety while the leopard feeds; it will also feed
on carrion. |
Breeding
Females have regular fertile
periods, and males may fight over sexually receptive
females. The litter of 1 to 6, usually 2 or 3, young
is born in a rock crevice or hole in a tree after
a gestation of about 90 to 112 days. The young are
suckled for 3 months and are independent at 18 months
to 2 years. The mother hunts alone, but if she makes
a kill, she hides it while she goes to fetch her cubs.
Older cubs may catch some small prey for themselves. |
 Status
Wildlife Protection of Thailand,
Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 1992 |
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