# Leopard (*Panthera pardus*) Leopards are beautiful big cats with spotted fur. They are great climbers and love to rest in trees! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Also known as:** African Leopard ![Leopard](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424242/objects/4501.jpg) ## Appearance The Leopard is a sleek big cat with a coat covered in distinct black spots called rosettes, which are unique to each individual. Its fur color ranges from pale yellow to deep gold or tawny, providing excellent camouflage. Unlike jaguars, leopard rosettes are smaller and do not have central spots. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Felidae - **Genus:** Panthera ## Interesting facts - Leopards are powerful swimmers and will readily cross rivers. - No two leopards have the exact same pattern of rosettes! - Their purr is one of the loudest among all big cats! - They can leap up to 6 meters (20 feet) horizontally in a single bound! ## Special abilities - **Arboreal Strength:** Leopard can drag prey heavier than itself up trees because of powerful muscles, helping secure food from scavengers. - **Silent Hunter:** Leopard has incredible stealth and camouflage from its rosette patterns that help them disappear into the shadows. - **Night Vision:** Leopard has excellent night vision because of a special reflective layer in their eyes, helping them hunt after dark. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-190 cm - **Weight:** 20-70 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-17 years - **Speed:** 58 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-6 - **Gestation:** 90-105 days ## Diet & Feeding Leopards are expert hunters that feast on many different animals, from small birds to larger deer! - **Primary Foods:** antelopes, deer, monkeys, rodents, birds, reptiles - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Impala](https://www.snappit.app/explore/impala) (*Aepyceros melampus*) — A common prey item in many African habitats. - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lion cubs may be preyed upon, or adults sometimes killed by larger lions. - **Depends on:** [Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena) (*Crocuta crocuta*) — Hyenas frequently scavenge carcasses left or stored by leopards. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Whiskered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/whiskered): Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High Always admire leopards from a safe distance, like at a zoo or in a book! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Leopard? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Leopard? 90-190 cm ### How much does Leopard weigh? 20-70 kg ### How long does Leopard live? 12-17 years ### How fast can Leopard move? 58 km/h ### What does Leopard eat? Leopards are expert hunters that feast on many different animals, from small birds to larger deer! ### How does Leopard hunt? Ambush ### How many babies does Leopard usually have? 1-6 ## Where to spot - [Bioparc Valencia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bioparc-valencia) — Valencian Community, ES · Zoo - [New England Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-england-aquarium) — Massachusetts, US · Aquarium - [Howletts Wild Animal Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/howletts-wild-animal-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Selig Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/selig-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alabama-gulf-coast-zoo) — Alabama, US · Zoo - [Boston Aquarial and Zoological Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boston-aquarial-and-zoological-gardens) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo [View all places to see Leopard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/leopard) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Leopard: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard)