Indian Leopard
Panthera pardus fusca
- IUCN StatusVulnerable
- Population12,000 - 14,000
- DietCarnivore - eating a variety of deer, wild boar, hares and some birds
- GroupLeap
- Size127-142 cm in length
- ContinentAsia
- Lifespan12-15 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity
- Weight35-75kg
- HabitatHabitat includes, rainforest, dry deciduous forest, temperate forest and northern coniferous forest
- Scientific NamePanthera pardus fusca
Meet the Indian Leopard
Leopards are known for their striking markings. These brown ‘rosettes’ on a pale background are actually great camouflage! They break up the Leopard’s body shape letting it silently creep up on its prey without being noticed. Each Leopard has a unique arrangement of spots just like a human fingerprint! Some populations of Leopard have very light markings and some are very dark, almost black. You may know these animals as black panthers but they are actually leopards with fur so dark that their rosettes are difficult to see!
Despite their size leopards are incredibly powerful! They are the most arboreal (tree climbing) of the large cats, using their long tail for balance, and they are also very good swimmers. Their short legged long bodies make them extremely strong for their size, they can haul prey three times their weight into a tree!
Introducing....
Mogli at Wolds Wildlife Park
Did you know?
Are you intrigued to learn more about these elusive big cats, then keep reading....
What age do young leopards become independent of their mothers?
Around 3 months of age, young indian leopards begin to follow the mother on hunts. At one year of age, they can probably fend for themselves but remain with their mother for 18-24 months
How many different species of leopard are there?
Leopards (Panthera pardus) belong to the genus of big cats and are closely related to lions, tigers, and jaguars. They are the smallest members of this family and are divided into nine subspecies, the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) being one of them.
How do leopards communicate with each other?
Being solitary creatures, leopards use territory marking as a means to announce their presence and to communicate with fellow cats. They use their claws to scratch tree trunks, rub their cheeks against trees, leave urine scent marks and poop to warn other leopards to stay away! Males and females will cross territories, but only to locate a mate.
Vocally leopards communicate with each other through distinctive calls. For instance, when a male wants to make another leopard aware of his presence, he’ll make a hoarse, raspy cough. They also growl when angry and, like domestic cats, purr when happy and relaxed
Do leopards hunt during the day or night?
Generally leopards are nocturnal animals, meaning they are active at night when they venture out in search for food. They mostly spend their days resting, camouflaged in the trees or hiding in caves
How fast can leopards run?
Leopards are fast felines and can run at up to 58km/h! They’re super springy, too, and can leap 6m forward through the air – that’s the length of three adults lying head to toe!
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