What are the main physical features of the leopard?
The leopard is one of natures most beautiful creatures. This graceful and strongly built cat has a comparatively long body with a thick neck, short, powerful legs and a long tail. It is stockier in build than the cheetah and serval, the only other spotted cats of comparable size.
The base colour is pale buff to golden yellow, with black spots forming rosettes on the flanks, hips and shoulders and spots on the face and legs. The underparts are whitish. There are two black bars across the throat. The tail is long and spotted for about half its length, with black bands towards the tip, and is white underneath. The ears are small and rounded.
Leopards found in arid areas are paler than those found in denser, forested areas.
Males can attain a mass of up to 70 kg and females up to 40 kg. Both sexes attain a shoulder height of about 70 to 80cm.
More frequently asked questions on the Leopard
Do leopards mark their territories?
Do other predators prey upon leopard?
Do leopards roar?
Can the leopard be a danger to humans?
Why do leopards hang their prey in trees?
Are leopards very susceptible to disease?
What is the potential life span of a leopard?
How much does a leopard eat per day?
What are the leopards breeding habits?
What does the leopard diet consist of?
How do leopards manage to get very heavy prey into a tree?
Is leopard cub mortality high?
Are leopards territorial?
What is the preferred habitat of the leopard?
When do leopard cubs become independent?
Is the leopard a solitary animal?
It is said that baboons could kill a leopard. Is this true?
Are there black leopards in the Kruger Park?
Do leopards returns to the prey left in a tree?
Why are leopards so seldom seen?
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