The leopard is a large, stealthy cat known for its black spots. These spots, called rosettes because they’re shaped like roses, are unique to each leopard and can be used to tell them apart.
There are 9 subspecies of leopard, ranging throughout Africa and Asia.
They live in both warm and cold climates in a variety of habitats, including savannas, deserts, mountains, forests, and rainforests. Leopards even live in some urban and suburban areas!
Big Cat
Leopards are a type of big cat, like lions, tigers, and jaguars.
They weigh around 17-65 kg (37-143 lb.). From head to rump, they are about 92-183 cm (36-72 in.) long, and they have a 66-102 cm (26-40 in.) long tail.
One distinguishing feature of a big cat is that it can roar. A leopard’s roar sounds like a handsaw cutting wood.
Agile Cat
Despite their large size, leopards are very agile. They can reach speeds of 59 km/h (37 mph), and they can jump as far as 6 m (19 ft.) in a single bound.
They are also strong swimmers.
Tree Climbers
One skill where leopards really excel is climbing trees. Leopards are exceptionally strong climbers. They are often found in trees, where their spotted fur provides good camouflage.
Black Panthers
Usually, leopards have yellowish-tan fur with black spots. But sometimes they have black fur.
These melanistic leopards are often called black panthers. But did you know that black panthers still have spots? You just can’t see them as well because they blend in with their black fur.
Sometimes people also refer to melanistic jaguars as black panthers. It can be confusing to know which cat they’re talking about. One clue is that jaguars live in the Americas while leopards live in Africa and Asia. [Read our post: What is a Black Panther]
How Amur Leopards Stay Warm
One subspecies of leopard, the Amur leopard, lives in Russia and China where the winters are very cold.
To stay warm, Amur leopards wrap themselves up in their tails. They also grow a winter coat with longer fur to stay insulated.
Nocturnal and Solitary
Leopards are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. During the day, they generally rest in trees and caves.
Solitary and territorial, leopards mark their home ranges by leaving scratch marks, urine, and feces. Male leopards also defend their territory by roaring.
What Leopards Eat
Leopards are opportunistic hunters, which means they’ll eat almost anything they come across. In general, they eat carrion (dead animals), fish, reptiles, birds, rodents, hares, warthogs, antelopes, baboons, crabs, and bugs.
When they hunt, they hide in trees or tall grass then pounce on their prey. They kill the animal with a bite to the throat.
Often, they carry their kill up a tree so other predators, like lions or hyenas, cannot steal it. Then they eat it while sitting on a tree branch.
Sharp spikes on their tongues called papillae help them scrape the meat off the bones.
If they don’t finish, they store the meal in the tree to finish later.
Reproduction
Leopards breed at any point during the year. Female leopards roar to attract mates.
After a gestation period of about 3 months, the female leopard gives birth to 2-3 cubs. They are born blind with gray fur and barely visible spots.
For the first 8 weeks, the cubs stay hidden in a den (usually a cave, tree hollow, or thicket). After that, the mother leopard moves them to different locations.
The cubs begin eating meat at 6-7 weeks, and they are fully weaned by 3 months.
For about 2 years, the cubs stay with their mother and learn to hunt.
In the wild, leopards live 10-15 years.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List classifies leopards as vulnerable. Threats include hunting (for their fur, claws, whiskers, and tails) and habitat loss.
People also kill leopards as retribution because they eat livestock.
Many leopard populations outside Africa are considered endangered. In fact, Amur leopards are currently critically endangered with only 130 individuals left in the wild.
What You Can Do to Help
If you would like to help leopards, you can support organizations like the African Wildlife Foundation and the WWF.
Leopard Range
More Leopard Resources
- African Wildlife Foundation: Leopard
- National Geographic: Leopard
- Video: BBC’s Planet Earth: Amur Leopard
- World Wildlife Fund: Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Amur Leopards
- Nat Geo Kids: 10 Leopard Facts
Quick Fact Sheet
Common Name(s): Leopard
Scientific Name: Panthera pardus
Animal Type: mammal
Size: 92-183 cm (36-72 in.); Tail: 66-102 cm (26-40 in.)
Weight: 17-65 kg (37-143 lb.)
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
About the Author
Abi Cushman is a contributing editor of Animal Fact Guide and My House Rabbit. She is also an award-winning author and illustrator of funny picture books for kids, including Wombats Are Pretty Weird and Flamingos Are Pretty Funky.
To learn more and to download free activity sheets, visit AbiCushman.com.
