Monday, June 1, 2009

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’.

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