Since the turn of the century leopards have disappeared from much of their former range and several subspecies are under threat. This is due to the encroachment of people who starve them by destroying their habitat and killing their prey. This makes them turn to domestic livestock which of course makes them unpopular and so they are poisoned or shot. The fur trade has also taken its toll and in the 1960-70s 60, 000 skins were sold every year.
Leopards are very adaptable and eat a variety of prey, which include warthog, gazelle, porcupine, wildebeest, impala, ostriches and baboons. They ambush their prey, attacking with a short charge and grabbing it by the throat to suffocate it. They then carry it up the nearest tree to eat in safety. They are able to climb carrying (250lbs) twice their own weight.
After a gestation period of 3.5 months 2-4 cubs are usually born. Cubs are weaned at the age of 3 months. They become independent at 2 years old, but won’t be sexually mature till they are 3 years old. They can live up to 20 years old.
Leopards are born with spots or are black. A black panther is a leopard which is melanistic, this means it has as excess of pigment, as opposed to albino which is a lack of pigment. You can still see the leopard spots if you look closely. Black leopards are rarer than spotted leopards.
