| The word leopard reflects the supposed | | | | Despite rare predation by the tiger in India, |
| evolutionary origin of the big cat, with the | | | | leopard enjoys greater success since it |
| original belief being that it was a hybrid of | | | | survives in areas with scarce water. The same |
| lion (leo) and panther (pard). However, the | | | | is true in Africa where conflicts with lions |
| closest resemblance is to the Jaguar, even as | | | | and hyenas are won by the leopard's terrific |
| the leopard is less stocky and its rosette | | | | ability to carry prey up to three times its |
| coat markings are smaller, more numerous and | | | | weight into trees, beyond the reach of its |
| lack internal spots. The rosettes also | | | | competitors. Its tree climbing abilities are |
| distinguish it from the spots of the Cheetah. | | | | the best among cats and alongside a strong |
| Plus leopard is a more gifted tree climber | | | | swimming ability make it the best hunter in |
| and a nocturnal hunter, whereas Cheetah | | | | all of Africa, surviving in drought and tough |
| prefers the less competitive daytime for his | | | | climatic conditions where others perish. |
| kills. | | | | |
| | | | Whilst the prey base is diverse, leopard may |
| Coloration is usually tawny yellow with the | | | | at times attack humans. The risks are |
| black rosettes ranging from a circular shape | | | | supplemented in case of disease, eradication |
| in East African leopard to square in South | | | | of prey animals and habitat encroachment. As |
| African Leopard. Melanism is frequently seen | | | | man-eaters, leopards are extremely dangerous |
| with the black leopard often found in dense | | | | and very hard to eliminate. Their great |
| forests of South East Asia. Called 'panther', | | | | stalking ability and cunning makes them the |
| the black coloration is a result of the | | | | most feared killers amongst men. Many in |
| merging together of skin markings. Designed | | | | Africa and India don't fear the lion and |
| for camouflage, leopard's coat is generally | | | | tiger, respectively, as much as they do the |
| considered as one of the most beautiful in | | | | leopard that spares nothing and yet is never |
| animal kingdom and varies according to the | | | | seen. In fact many hunters maintain the |
| habitat of the great hunter. Its geographical | | | | leopard to be ten times as dangerous as a |
| distribution is also used for classification | | | | lion or tiger, making it a killer of great |
| purposes as leopard is segregated into nine | | | | notoriety. Whereas other man-eating cats |
| modern species (down from a previous thirty), | | | | almost never dare to enter human settlements |
| namely the African Leopard, Amur Leopard, | | | | at day time, leopard has been known to take |
| Arabian Leopard, Indian Leopard, Indo-Chinese | | | | people from inside their houses! The famous |
| Leopard, Java Leopard, North China Leopard, | | | | Panar Leopard and Rudraprayag Leopard of |
| Persian Leopard and Sri Lankan Leopard. The | | | | India are startling examples (more on |
| Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard and Bornean | | | | man-eating later!). |
| Clouded Leopard are all considered separate | | | | |
| species now (to be discussed later!). | | | | Solitary creatures, leopards come in unison |
| | | | for mating, that may occur seasonally or |
| A graceful hunter, leopard epitomizes stealth | | | | year-round depending on the individual |
| and predation. Leopard's ability to go | | | | sub-specie. Two or three cubs are born that |
| undetected enables it to prey on the most | | | | the female takes great care to protect and |
| sensitive of animals like gazelles and dogs. | | | | hide, warning intruders into its territory by |
| The most successful hunter amongst big cats, | | | | roaring and hissing (leopard's growl is |
| leopard spares nothing - takes everything as | | | | slightly different from lion and tiger's loud |
| prey from insects to birds, reptiles, | | | | roars - I personally find the rumbling growl |
| monkeys, fish and deer. Its wide prey base | | | | of the leopard more frightening!). The young |
| supplemented by its ability to survive in | | | | are able to hunt at nearly one year of age |
| diverse environments ensures leopard's | | | | but may stay with the mother up to one and a |
| survival beyond the realm of its peers. | | | | half to two years. |