Kenya Wild Safari

Leopard

The Leopard is the smallest but most adaptable of the big cats and can be found in a variety of environments in Africa. It is the strongest climber among the big cats and is often seen resting on the branches of trees. The Leopard is found in forested areas in Africa and is a solitary animal that can defend itself fiercely when attacked. It is a shrewd hunter and has a wide prey base. It has a sleek coat that ranges from orange to brown marked with black rosettes and spots. You can see leopards in Kenya on safari tours with Kenya Wild Safari.

Zoological name: Panthera pardus

Range: Leopards prefer forested areas and river valleys and are found in most parts of Africa below the Sahara. They have even been found on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Estimated population: Worldwide the population of leopards is estimated to be around 500,000 with the majority of leopards found in Africa. Many subspecies of leopards are regarded as threatened or endangered due to poaching and human encroachment.

Physical characteristics: Leopards range from 3 to 8 feet long including their tails and can weigh from 80 to 150 pounds. Leopards have stocky compact bodies with powerful limbs. Their strong jaws and shoulders help them climb trees. The underside of a leopards tail is white and is used to signal the leopard's presence to its cubs or other animals.

Habitat: Leopards are very adaptable and are found in a variety of environments, from tropical forest to semi-desert regions. They also inhabit areas around human settlements and forest boundaries. Diet: Leopards are shrewd and fierce hunters. They have been known to attack prey, larger than themselves. They commonly feed on antelope baboons, monkeys, wild boar, hares, rodents and fish. Leopards protect their kills by dragging them up into the branches of trees, where they cannot be reached by lions or hyena.

Behavior: Leopards are solitary hunters. Male leopards inhabit a range that overlaps the ranges of several female leopards and may spend several days with a female in breeding season. Female leopards usually give birth to a litter of 1-3 cubs. Cubs emerge from their den after about 8 weeks and accompany their mother for about 2 years.

Status: Leopards in Africa are hunted for sport, and exterminated by farmers and tribes who regard it as a livestock predator. Leopards are often hunted for their beautiful pelts. Despite their larger numbers than other big cats, leopard populations are under stress and require increased protection.