The Leopard ... Elusive Beauty And Wary Member Of The Big Five
Interesting Information About Leopards
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How much does a Leopard weigh?
Weight Male: 20-82kg.
Weight Female: 17-40kg.
Life Expectancy:
12-25 years.
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Leopard's Prey Species:
The Leopard is an opportunistic hunter, eats anything from the size of Termites to Wildebeest (Gnu).
Leopard main prey in protected areas include;
- Impala
- Bushbuck
- Nyala
- Kudu
- Sable Antelope
- Mountain Reedbuck
- Grey Rhebok
- Steenbok
- Grysbok
- Duiker
- Blue Wildebeest (Brindled Gnu)
- Common Warthog
- Jackal
- Francolin
- Guinea fowl
- Scrub Hare
- Mongoose
- Chacma Baboon
- Vervet Monkey
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Leopard Habitat:
The Leopard occurs in any habitat from semi-desert to dense forest, it prefers areas alongside riverine vegetation. Avoid extreme desert.
When Is The Leopard Active?:
The Leopard is strictly nocturnal and becomes crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) in protected areas.
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Special Information ...The Leopard:
The Leopard is a solitary creature that moves around at night. Leopard are the least seen of the Big Five because they are so secretive, although the numbers of Leopard in Africa are double the amount of African Lion and Cheetah combined.
Scientist's believe that there are more than 15 subspecies of Leopard. Leopards are the largest carnivores that survive outside conservation areas.
The female Leopard is considerably smaller than the male Leopard, and therefore the males will normally hunt larger prey than the females.
Leopard are extremely good tree climbers, and can drag a 100kg carcass up a tree. Leopards do this so they do not attract the attention of Hyaena and Lion who will steal the carcass away from the Leopard. As Leopards are unable to defend their dinner against such powerful carnivores.
Leopard are often found close to living communities without the residents even knowing this fact.
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