Leopards

Leopard cubs stay with their mother for about two years before starting their independent life!

There are fewer than 100,000 leopards left in the wild today!

Leopards have already disappeared from more than 60% of their historic range in Africa!

The Amur leopard is the rarest big cat in the world, with about 128 to 130 left in the wild as of 2023.

Leopards are considered “Vulnerable” which means scientists are worried about their future!

A leopard’s tail helps it balance while walking on tree branches and making sharp turns while running!

Leopards have special pads on their feet that help them walk silently when hunting!

A leopard’s whiskers are so sensitive, they can feel the slightest breeze or movement!

Leopards have excellent depth perception that helps them judge exactly how far they need to jump!

A leopard’s claws can be up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) long — about as long as your thumb!

Leopards have special reflective cells in their eyes that help them see better at night!

A leopard’s roar can be heard from up to a mile away!

Leopards can sneak up to within 10 feet (3 meters) of their prey without being detected!

A leopard’s spots create shadows that break up its outline, making it almost invisible in dappled sunlight!

Leopards remember exactly where they’ve hidden their food and can find it days later!

Leopards sometimes follow troops of baboons to catch the smaller animals that the baboons frighten!

Leopards use their long tails as counterbalances when leaping to catch birds in mid-air!

A leopard’s black-tipped tail helps its cubs follow their mother through tall grass!

There are nine different subspecies of leopards living in different parts of the world!

The Persian leopard is the largest of all leopard subspecies and can weigh up to 200 pounds (90 kilograms)!

The Arabian leopard is the smallest leopard subspecies, weighing only about 66 pounds (30 kilograms)!

The Sri Lankan leopard has evolved to be an excellent climber in dense tropical forests!

The Indian leopard has learned to live near cities and sometimes hunts domestic animals!

The Javan leopard is one of the rarest subspecies, with only about 250-350 left in the wild as of 2024.

The African leopard is the most widespread subspecies and can be found in 35 different countries!

Some leopards in Malaysia are completely black, known as “black panthers”!

The Amur leopard has special adaptations to walk in deep snow without sinking!

Ancient Egyptians often depicted leopards in their artwork and believed they were sacred animals!

In some parts of Asia, people believe leopards have magical powers because they can disappear so easily in the forest!

The word “leopard” comes from ancient Greek words meaning “lion-panther”!

Many ancient royal families kept leopards as pets to show their wealth and power!

A leopard’s spots are actually black rings with darker centers, creating a perfect camouflage pattern!

Leopards living in arid areas have paler coats than those living in forests!

A leopard’s paw prints are called “pugmarks” and are used by scientists to track them!

Leopards can survive in temperatures ranging from -13°F to 120°F (-25°C to 49°C)!

A leopard will spend up to four hours a day grooming its fur to keep it clean and healthy!