Indian Leopard
Nine subspecies of the leopard have been recognized, and they are distributed across Africa and Asia. Each of them vary to some degree in appearance and biology as one moves across this wide geographical range, but their exceptionally beautiful black-spotted coat, supreme stealth, and elusive nature remains common. The leopard is the smallest of the big cats, and known for its ability to adapt in a variety of habitats. Melanism is a common occurrence in leopards, wherein the entire skinof the animal is black in colour, including its spots. A melanistic leopard is often called black panther or jaguar, and mistakenly thought to be a different species.
A nocturnal animal, the leopard hunts by night. It feeds on smaller species of herbivores found in its range, such as the chital, hog deer and wild boar. It is notorious for picking up feral dogs around forest areas. An extremely agile creature, it spends most of its resting time on top of trees, using land only to move locations, but rarely to rest or nap. It is known to carry its prey up on trees. This is especially common in leopards that share their habitat with other large cats such as the tiger inIndia.
Leopards usually mate throughout the year, producing a litter of two to three cubs after a gestation period of 90 to 105 days. The female uses a secluded and well-hidden spot in the forest to deliver, and the cubs remain hidden in the spot for up to six to eight weeks, until they are ready to follow the mother around. They stay with the mother for another two years, when they learn to hunt by following and watching the mother.
Indian Leopard
Nine subspecies of the leopard have been recognized, and they are distributed across Africa and Asia. Each of them vary to some degree in appearance and biology as one moves across this wide geographical range, but their exceptionally beautiful black-spotted coat, supreme stealth, and elusive nature remains common. The leopard is the smallest of the big cats, and known for its ability to adapt in a variety of habitats. Melanism is a common occurrence in leopards, wherein the entire skinof the animal is black in colour, including its spots. A melanistic leopard is often called black panther or jaguar, and mistakenly thought to be a different species.
A nocturnal animal, the leopard hunts by night. It feeds on smaller species of herbivores found in its range, such as the chital, hog deer and wild boar. It is notorious for picking up feral dogs around forest areas. An extremely agile creature, it spends most of its resting time on top of trees, using land only to move locations, but rarely to rest or nap. It is known to carry its prey up on trees. This is especially common in leopards that share their habitat with other large cats such as the tiger inIndia.
Leopards usually mate throughout the year, producing a litter of two to three cubs after a gestation period of 90 to 105 days. The female uses a secluded and well-hidden spot in the forest to deliver, and the cubs remain hidden in the spot for up to six to eight weeks, until they are ready to follow the mother around. They stay with the mother for another two years, when they learn to hunt by following and watching the mother.