This unusually beautiful animal is the most common member of the feline family (after the domestic cat). This attractive beast got its name from a combination of two Greek words leon and pardus, translated as a lion and a panther. In ancient times, it was believed that he is a hybrid of these two animals.
How much does a leopard weigh, what does it feed, where does it live and what are the features of its life? More details about all this are presented in this article. It should certainly be noted that some of the subspecies have now been virtually destroyed, and therefore, are listed in the International Red Book. However, there are numerous thriving subspecies among them, for example, the African leopard.
Animal Status and Protection
About how much a leopard weighs, a little later, but for now a little about the problems associated with this animal.
Today, there are 5 subspecies under threat of extinction. The main reason for the decline in the population is changes in the natural habitat, poaching and a decrease in food resources.
It should be noted that the number of Far Eastern leopards as of 2007 was approximately 34 individuals. It is encouraging that by the beginning of 2015 their number increased to about 57. However, there are subspecies listed in the Red Book of Russia and IUCN.
general description
The weight of an adult leopard is quite impressive. The physique is flexible and elongated. Slender strong legs have very sharp curved claws about 5.5 cm long. Not very fluffy fur is thick and tightly attached. The coat of animals living in more severe climatic conditions becomes longer in winter and acquires a more dull color.
The color of the animal envy of the place where the leopard lives. Inhabitants in the northern regions have a bright red or light yellow coat color. In African leopards, it is reddish brown or yellowish. In addition to the main tone, the leopard has small black or brownish spots on its body. Moreover, each individual has its own, individual location and shape of the pattern. Spots are both circular and solid. They are larger among Asian representatives, and smaller among African representatives.
Among leopards, melanists are often called black panthers. Most of them live on the peninsula of Malacca and on the island of Java, a little less found in Africa and India. Often black individuals are born with spotted in the same litter. Information on how much a leopard weighs is given just below in the article.
Specifications
This animal is a rather large cat. The weight of an adult leopard is 32-75 kg. Larger individuals exist (up to 90 kg). The body reaches 90-180 cm in length (not counting the tail). Height - up to 45-90 centimeters. The tail has a length of 75-110 cm.
The massive skull has an elongated structure, a little low. The nasal bones in the back are narrowed, the zygomatic arches are not very wide apart. Like most cats, there are 30 teeth in the mouth of a leopard. Each jaw has 6 incisors and 2 canines. A sufficiently long tongue is equipped with tubercles that help the animal wash and separate the meat from the bone.
The size and body weight of leopards are completely different and depend on their habitat. The largest are individuals that inhabit more open spaces, and their brethren that live in forest areas are smaller and smaller. Females are smaller than males, and their weight is 32-65 kg. Males weigh from 60 to 75 kg.
Wildlife Features of Leopards
The distribution area of this animal is wider than that of other large felines. They inhabit forest-steppe and forest areas, mountainous regions and savannahs of Africa, Asia (eastern and southern), Primorsky Territory, and the Arabian Peninsula. Occasionally leopards can be found in the North Caucasus. There are territories where this beast no longer occurs. There is a tendency to a gradual decrease in its habitat.
Leopards are animals that can adapt to life in any geographical area: mountains, rainforests, plains, semi-deserts and savannahs. The area occupied by one spotted cat is 10-400 square meters. km The territorial areas of males and females may coincide, however, if representatives of the same sex fall on the same territory, a fierce battle between them necessarily takes place, and ends even with a fatal outcome.
A leopard does not often attack a person, but in a wounded state he will certainly defend himself. Among these animals cannibals are found, mainly old, wounded, sick - unable to hunt fully.
Leopards are animals that are predominantly solitary. In the afternoon they sleep, take leisurely walks through the territory of their site. The hunt is conducted mainly at night. Females having kittens hunt at any time of the day.
This beast arranges its lair in secluded places - in caves, in crevices, under the roots of trees. The leopards that inhabit the southern regions breed throughout the year, while individuals of the Far East only reproduce in late autumn. Pregnancy is three months. Usually 1-3 babies are born. Young individuals in two and a half years reach full growth and become sexually mature.
Hunting and nutrition
Leopard, thanks to soft pads on its paws, is able to sneak up on prey so quietly that not a single branch crunches or rustles a single leaf. He usually hunts animals of medium size. It catches up with their fast and powerful leap up to 6 meters long.
Knowing how much a leopard weighs, one can admire how he nimbly climbs branches of tall trees, where he often sets up an ambush or just rests. Jumping to the prey, a spotted cat strangles her. After eating, he hides the remnants of food on the trees.
The diet mainly consists of ungulates (even quite large ones). Also, if necessary (non-feeding period), the leopard can attack rodents, birds, reptiles and monkeys. Quite often, sheep, dogs, horses become its victims. Attacks on foxes and wolves also occur. A spotted cat can feed on carrion, as well as steal someone else’s prey.
What speed does a leopard develop in km / h?
The maximum rate that a predator can reach is 50 kilometers per hour. Compared to the fastest animal (cheetah), this is a relatively modest result. The speed of the latter is 110 kilometers per hour or more.
It should be noted that leopards do not waste their energy. They do not pursue their prey at high speeds, but simply monitor it and lure it. However, sometimes they have to use their agility and agility, fleeing from the main enemies, such as tigers, lions and people.
Some interesting facts
Here are some interesting facts about this animal:
- Leopards are able to drag a carcass weighing 3 times its weight onto a tree, up to 6 meters high.
- Poachers prey on these animals for the sake of obtaining their beautiful and expensive hide, as well as the mustache used to make certain medicines.
- Leopards can either growl like domestic cats or growl like lions (but not so loudly).
- These animals have excellent hearing (they hear 5 times better than humans).
- Leopards do not need a lot of water. They have enough moisture from food.
- These animals, perfectly climbing trees, can safely go down from them upside down. Often they can be seen sleeping on the branches of tall trees.
- A leopard or snow leopard does not belong to the species of leopards (it is closer to tigers). And their habits with appearance differ. There is also a smoky leopard, which also belongs to a completely different genus.
Finally
The largest animal climbing trees is a leopard. How long does he live? In natural habitats, they can live up to 11 years, and in captivity their life span reaches 21 years.
The main enemy of the leopard is a man who has been hunting him since the earliest times. The goal is to receive the most coveted hunting trophy. Uncontrolled animal hunting at the beginning of the 20th century led to a significant reduction in the species. Despite the introduction of several subspecies in the Red Book, poaching does not stop, since this beast is valued in oriental medicine.