Leopard
Panthera pardus
Leopard: Stealthy carnivore of savannas and forests.
| Scientific name | Panthera pardus |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Chui |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Felidae |
| Size | Male: 30-90 kg; Female: 20-60 kg |
How to identify
Medium-sized, muscular build; golden-yellow coat with black rosette spots; long tail with ring patterns; broad head, rounded ears; light and agile gait
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, grasslands, shrublands, forest edges, valleys, and mountainous areas
Diet
Carnivorous, prey includes antelopes, monkeys, birds, small mammals, etc.
When it is active
Primarily nocturnal, active at dawn and dusk
Where it lives
Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Kenya and Maasai Mara National Reserve; parts of Asia including India and Southeast Asia
How to spot it
Search at dawn or dusk in open woodland savanna or shrub edges, watch for activity in trees, use binoculars to aid observation
Photography tips
Use telephoto lens, set high ISO in low light, capture dynamic shots during nocturnal or crepuscular activity, remain quiet and keep distance
Threats
Habitat loss, illegal hunting, prey decline, human-wildlife conflict
Similar species
Jaguar (Panthera onca), more robust body with spots having small central dots; Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), more slender body with distinct tear marks and solid spots
