Leopard
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Taxonomy (SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION)
CLASS: Mammalia (Mammals)
ORDER: Carnivora (Carnivores)
FAMILY: Felidae (Cats)
GENUS/SPECIES: Panthera pardus
Subspecies
African
African Leopard- Panthera pardus pardus
Asian
Amur Leopard-Panthera pardus orientalis
Indochinese Leopard- Panthera pardus delacouri
Indian Leopard- Panthera pardus fusca
North China Leopard- Panthera pardus japonensis
Sri Lankan Leopard- Panthera pardus kotiya
Javan Leopard- Panthera pardus melas
Arabian Leopard- Panthera pardus nimr
Caucasian Leopard (aka Central Asian Leopard or Persian Leopard)- Panthera pardus saxicolor
LIFE SPAN: Leopards can live up to 15 years in the wild and up to 23 years in captivity.
HABITAT: Leopards can be found in sub-Saharan Africa as well in parts of Asia such as India, Russia, China, Korea, Malaysia, and the Middle East. These big cats are very adaptable and are able to live in several different habitats- forests, grasslands, mountains, and deserts.
DIET: Leopards are carnivores (meat eaters) who eat small hoofed animals such as impalas, gazelles, and deer. They also sometimes hunt monkeys, rodents, and birds.
FUN FACTS
A male Leopard is called a leopard
A female Leopard is called a leopardess
A young Leopard is called a cub
A group of Leopards (a rare occurrence as they are typically solitary animals) is called a leap or lepe
Leopards are the smallest member of the four "big cats," the other three members being Tigers, Lions and Jaguars.
Leopards are truly solitary animals who spend most of their time alone. These isolated felines have their own territories which they mark with scratches on trees, urine scents, and poop to warn other Leopards to keep out! Males and female Leopards only cross territories to mate.
Leopards spend a large portion of their time in trees. Their spotted coat helps them blend into their surroundings and provides them with a natural form of camouflage. These big cats often haul their prey into trees to keep it safe from other animals
Leopards are fast cats who can run up to 36 mph and can leap forward about 20 feet through the air (approximately the length of three adults who are lying head to toe!)
Leopards communicate with each other through unique calls. For example, when one male wants to announce his presence to another male, he’ll make a hoarse, raspy cough. These big cats also growl when they are angry and purr when they are happy and relaxed (just like domestic house cats!).
A Leopard’s tail is almost as long as its entire body. This helps the Leopard with its balance and makes it possible for this big cat to make sharp turns quickly.
CONSERVATION STATUS
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the conservation status of Leopards is as follows:
Leopards are vulnerable, which means that they may become endangered if their circumstances don’t improve.
The IUCN states that while Leopards are widely distributed across Africa and Asia, their populations are becoming reduced and isolated as these big cats are being increasingly cut off from large sections of their historic range.
Leopard populations are declining dramatically due to several factors such as Leopards being continually persecuted by poachers and trophy hunters, their habitat becoming more and more fragmented, Leopards increasingly becoming victims of the illegal wildlife trade, their skins being excessively harvested for ceremonial use, and the declining populations of the Leopard’s prey.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP LEOPARDS?
Educate yourself about Leopards and their circumstances by reviewing the materials presented below in the Resources section and other materials you may be able to find on your own.
Post messages on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and send emails to your family and friends expressing your concern for the plight of the Leopards and encouraging them to become involved as well.
Write letters to your elected officials in Washington DC and to leaders in nations where Leopards live explaining why the conservation of Leopards is important to you and encouraging these officials to work to help keep Leopards from ever becoming extinct in the wild.
Help to improve the environment around you and around the world by working to reduce, recycle, and reuse. This will help eliminate waste and will greatly improve the world in which we all live.
And when you shop at Joe’s Cowtown Photos, you can designate Leopard-centric programs and initiatives such as the World Wildlife Fund’s Adopt a Leopard Program, the Leopard Conservation Project, and National Geographic Society’s Big Cat Initiative as the beneficiary of the charitable portion of your purchase. (For more information on Joe’s Cowtown Photos charitable giving program, Cowtown Photos Cares!, click here.)
RESOURCES
A Zeal of Zebras: An Alphabet of Collective Nouns (book) by Woop Studios
National Geographic Kids: 10 Leopard Facts
Defenders of Wildlife: Basic Facts About Leopards
Live Science: Facts About Leopards
Science Kids: Fun Leopard Facts for Kids
Reference.com: What is a Male Leopard Called?
World Class Learning: Collective Nouns for Animals
The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species Leopard page
The World Wildlife Fund’s Adopt an African Leopard Page
The Leopard Conservation Project
National Geographic Society’s Big Cat Initiative
The African Wildlife Foundation’s Leopard Page
The United States House of Representatives Page
Credits
The information provided in this Animal Info page was compiled by Joe Hoffman (St. Pius X Elementary School Class of 1986 and Founder/Owner of Joe’s Cowtown Photos) and was proof-read and edited by Anita Striegel (Retired 8th Grade Teacher from St. Pius X Elementary School, Joe’s former teacher!)
To access the Animal Info main page, click here!