Leopard | Panthera pardus

Binomial name: Panthera pardus
Common name: Leopard

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Felidae
Genus:	Panthera
Species:	P. pardus

Salient Features:

Length – 0.9 to 1.9 m

Height – 43 to 79 cm

Weight – 25 to 90 Kg

Gestation Period – 90 to 112 days

Longevity – 12 years, 20 in captivity

Description: Leopards have a wide geographic range and habitat tolerance as compared to any of the big cats. They are one of the most adaptable cats and can exist almost anywhere i.e., it can find enough food and cover for itself. They live in all types of habitats like forests, woodlands, swamps, savannahs and rocky mountains. This big cat is an opportunistic hunter and they will eat just about everything. Monkeys, reptiles, rodents, amphibians, birds, wild pigs, fish and ungulates form the main diet of Leopards. They are skilled enough to carry animals that are twice their body weight. Furthermore, when it kills a prey, it carries them up onto the trees to eat it and also, in fear of the other big cats.

Status: Cheetah’s IUCN status is ‘endangered’.