leopards - biology & behavoir
The leopard is known for its ability in climbing, and it has been observed resting on tree branches during the day and descending from trees headfirst. It is a powerful swimmer, although, not as strong as some other big cats, such as the tiger. The leopard is also very agile, and can run over sixty kilometers an hour, leap over six metres and jump up to three metres vertically. The leopard is primarily a nocturnal creature, and many of its operations are done by night. However, there have been recorded instances of leopards hunting during the light, especially when the sky is overcast. It spends much of its day resting and sleeping, up in the branches of trees, underneath rocks or in the grass.
hunting & diet
Leopards are opportunistic hunters. Although mid-sized animals are preferred, the leopard will eat anything from dung beetles to
900 kg (1,984 lb) male giant elands. Their diet consists mostly of ungulates and monkeys, but rodents, reptiles, amphibians, birds and
fish are also eaten. In Africa, mid-sized antelopes provide a majority of the leopard's prey, especially impala and Thomson's gazelles.
In Asia the leopard preys on deer such as chitals and muntjacs as well as various Asian antelopes and Ibex. Prey preference estimates in
southern India showed that the most favoured prey of the leopard was the chital. A study at the Wolong Reserve in China revealed how
adaptable the leopard's hunting behaviour is: over the course of seven years the vegetative cover receded, and the animals opportunistically
shifted from primarily consuming tufted deer to instead pursuing bamboo rats and other smaller prey.
The leopard stalks its prey silently and at the last minute pounces on its prey and strangles its throat with a quick bite. Leopards
often hide their kills in dense vegetation or take them up trees, and are capable of carrying animals up to three times their own
weight this way. One survey of nearly 30 research papers found preferred prey weights of 10 to 40 kg (22-88 lb), with 25 kg (55 lb)
most preferred. Along with impala and chital, a preference for bushbuck and common duiker was found. Other prey selection factors
include a preference for prey in small herds, in dense habitat, and those that afford the predator a low risk of injury.
reproduction
A male may follow a female who catches his attention. Eventually, a fight for reproductive rights may take place. Depending on
the region, leopards may mate all year round (Asia and Africa) or seasonally during January to February (Manchuria and Siberia).
The estrous cycle lasts about 46 days and the female usually is in heat for 6 - 7 days. Gestation lasts for 90-105 days. Cubs are usually
born in a litter of 2 - 4, but infant mortality is high and usually no more than 1 - 2 cubs survive beyond their infancy.
The pregnant females find a cave, crevice among boulders, hollow tree, or thicket to give birth and make a den. Cubs open their
eyes after a period of 10 days. The fur of the young tends to be longer and thicker than that of adults. Their pelage is also more
gray in color with less defined spots. Around three months the infants begin to follow the mother out on hunts. At one year of age
leopard young can probably fend for themselves but they remain with the mother for 18 - 24 months.
Leopards have been reported to reach 21 years of age in captivity.
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