Leopards

Leopard in Namibia

Photo: Familie Vosseberg

Leopards are found in Africa south of the Sahara, as well as in several countries in Asia. They grow to about 80 cm tall and can weigh up to 85 kg. Their bodies are 110 to 150 cm long, and their tails measure 60 to 90 cm. Males can weigh twice as much as females. Leopards are big cats, just like lions, tigers, jaguars and snow leopards.

Leopards eat only meat. They are known as excellent stealth hunters. They hunt at dusk and at night. As they stalk their prey, they creep close to the ground with their bodies held low, making clever use of every hiding place.

During the day, they like to rest in the forks of trees. They only go hunting in the evening and at night. They prey on warthogs and porcupines, antelopes, wild goats, monkeys, hares, jackals, fish, snakes and birds. Even insects are on a leopard’s menu. If they think the hunt is difficult or unsuccessful, they quickly give up on their prey. They also drag heavy prey up into trees. Leopards can go up to ten days without drinking.

The female leopard usually gives birth to 2 to 4 cubs once a year. Leopard cubs cannot see until they are 9 days old. They nurse for 3 months. The mother constantly changes their hiding place so that lions, hyenas and male leopards do not find them. They are fully grown after 2 years.

Leopards live to about 12 years of age in the wild. In zoos, they can live for more than 20 years.

Find out:

1. Where are leopards found?
2. How long and how heavy do these animals get?
3. Which animals belong to the big cat family?
4. What animals do leopards hunt?
5. How long can they go without water?
6. How old can leopards living in a zoo get?