Leopards are one of the most beautiful and successful big cats found on earth. They are very adaptable and can survive and thrive in a variety of habitats, even urban environments, such as Mumbai, in India. They are known for their lovely rosette-marked pelts, strength, and ability to be camouflaged. They have rounded ears and a pinkish nose.
The large cats prey upon animals that are similar to their size, such as impala and bushbuck. They are especially fond of catching baboons. They also catch smaller mammals like klipspringers and rock hyraxes.
Leopards are shy and active at night. They retreat to the safety of a rocky outcrop, or a tree during the day. They are extremely agile and are excellent climbers.
One of the most characteristic sounds a leopard makes is a hoarse cough, although they also purr when content.
Leopards are seen singly, in pairs, or a mother with cubs. They are territorial. Male and female territories can overlap. Female leopards are more slender in build than males and are a little smaller. Females generally produce litters of two to three cubs at a time. A first-time mother sometimes only produces a single cub. The cubs leave their mother sometime between 12 to 18 months of age.
Did you know?
Did you know that a leopard cub weighs a mere 500 grams when it is born, that is a little over a pound?
An educational video about leopards. Film, photos, and narration by Tanja Nayak - all photos and video taken in the Kruger National Park, except for the face of the cheetah which was taken at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Photo of cheetah's claws from Cheetah Outreach. Video of leopardess and cub in a tree from Storyblocks (location unknown). Music from Storyblocks.
"Endless Sunrise" - Jeff Hanley
"Love You Africa" - Himanshu Katara
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#ingwe
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#bigfive
#educationmatters
Note: If you are filming or photographing an animal in the wild and it changes its natural behavior because of you, you are too close and should give the animal its space. Don't be a touron!!