Scientific classification: The leopard belongs to the family Felidae. It is classified as Panthera pardus.
Introduction
The Leopard is large and an agile member of the cat family known for its spotted fur, climbing skills, and secretive habits. A superbly designed predator with a long, well-muscled body, powerful limbs, and broad paws, what do leopards eat, the leopard combines the power and strength of the big cats with the grace and versatility of the smaller cats. Leopards are highly adaptable and are found over much of Africa and southern Asia, sometimes living undetected close to human settlements. The name leopard comes from the Greek words for lion (leo) and panther (pardos). what do leopards eat “Panther” and “leopard” are names for the same kind of animal, but “panther” is most often used for a leopard born with black fur (black panther).
Habitat
The leopard has the largest geographic range of any cat. It is found throughout most of Africa south of the Sahara and in parts of North Africa. what do leopards eat, Its range includes parts of the Middle East and extends east into India, southeastern Asia, and parts of northern Asia. Surprisingly, in Indonesia leopards are found on Java but there are no records of them on the larger islands of Sumatra and Borneo, which are closer to mainland Asia. Leopards also lived in Europe until the end of the last ice age around 11,000 years ago.
Leopards can cope with almost all imaginable living conditions and habitats. They thrive in places as diverse as savannas and grasslands, open woodlands and rain forests, as well as in Africa’s Kalahari Desert and the freezing Amur region of Russia. Leopards are so stealthy, bold, and versatile that they have survived in areas where other large carnivores have been exterminated. what do leopards eat They are able to live within sight and sound of people more effectively than any other big cat. Leopards live in the suburbs of Nairobi and other African cities, and often patrol Indian villages at night in search of unwary dog
Reproduction
Leopards breed at any time of the year. After a gestation period of 96 days, the female finds a secure birth den in a cave, thicket, or rock pile. The usual litter size is two but on rare occasions as many as six cubs may be born. what do leopards eat stronger males do most of the breeding, young males probably have to wait until they are three or four years old before they have an opportunity to sire a litter.
Baby leopards are born with their eyes closed. Their short fur is faintly spotted and they weigh 430 to 1000 g (15 to 35 oz). what do leopards eat, The first few days after the cubs are born the mother spends all her time at the den, resting, nursing, and looking after her young. However, she has to hunt, and to do so she must leave her cubs. Cubs begin to travel with their mother when they are about two or three months old. At this time they weigh 3 to 4 kg (6 to 8 lb) and are beginning to eat meat.
Conservation Status
In the 1970s, all leopards were listed as vulnerable by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and international trade in leopards was prohibited. However, since 1983 several African countries have been allowed to export a limited number of leopards shot by trophy hunters. Leopards clearly have the ability to survive near humans. However, what do leopards eat the greatest long-term threat to their continued survival is the expansion of livestock ranching.