Leopards are the most adaptable of the big cats. Because of their solitary
and secretive nature, most leopards go unnoticed, and so are not bothered.
Even in the event that humans encroach on a leopard's territory, it "retaliates"
by changing its dietary habits to include the human's livestock or dogs.
However, leopards are easy to hunt because they can easily be treed by dogs.
Leopards also follow the same arboreal pathways, so if studied long enough,
it can be easily traced. Brush fires also adversely affect the leopard,
taking away necessary cover in which it hunts.
Range and Habitat
The leopard inhabits the forests, mountains and grasslands of Africa and
Asia. It can be found in all of sub-Saharan Africa and west of the Kalahari.
They occur in China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nepal. It is abundant
throughout its range, despite being extensively hunted for its skins.
Physical Appearance
The leopard is the smallest of the great cats (lion, tiger, jaguar,
leopard). Males are up to 50% larger than the females; this is why there is
such a variation in its size. The leopard has an elongated body set on
relatively short and stocky legs. The paws are broad. Its ears are short and
rounded. They have a very short and sleek coat. Their color varies from
light tawny to deep rusty yellow, with a lighter underside. They have dark
spots on their face, head, throat, chest, and legs. The rest of their body
is covered in "rosettes". Leopards can also be totally black.
Reproduction and Social Behavior
Leopards, like most cats, are solitary animals, coming together only to
breed. Breeding is year-round in the tropical areas, and seasonal in the
savannas. They are slow breeders, producing 2-3 cubs every couple of years
or so. Very few cubs survive to adulthood. After a gestation period of 3
months, the female gives birth to 2-3 cubs in a den. The young are carried
to new places every few days to avoid the cubs falling prey to lions. The
cubs stay with their mother for two years, then leave to find another
territory of their own.
Threats
Hunting for their beautifully spotted fur, habitat encroachment, and
hunting have taken their toll on the leoaprd, making many subspecies
endangered. They are killed by farmers because they pose a threat to their
livestock. They can be easily poisoned because they feed on carrion.
Places where Indian Leopard are found
» Ranthambhore National Park ( Rajasthan )
» Sariska Tiger Reserve ( Rajasthan)
Ready for face to face encounter with the wildlife of Sanctuary. We can 
