Leopard spots how many

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Travel A road trip in Burgundy reveals far more than fine wine. The African leopard, found across a variety of habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, may be the most popular type of leopard in the world, but it is far from alone: eight other sub-species of leopard are found throughout Asia and the Middle-East. These include the Indian leopard, the Javan leopard, the Arabian leopard, the Anatolian leopard, the North Chinese leopard, the Amur leopard, the Indochinese leopard, and the Sri-Lankan leopard.

In Africa, a "black panther" is actually called a "melanistic leopard" by scientists and researchers. And while these black cats may look spotless, if you look closely at a black panther in clear light, the leopard rosette patterns can be seen. Photo credit: Madelyne K. Leopards are rarely the largest predator in their habitat so they need to be careful that both their kills and their young can stay safe from other predators. Unlike many of their big cat cousins, leopards are surprisingly strong swimmers.

The big cat stalks and pounces rather than chases its prey over long distances. It grabs or swats prey, using retractable claws. Prey is killed with a bite to the throat. Leopards are carnivores and eat any meat item they can find: monkeys, baboons, rodents, snakes, amphibians, large birds, fish, antelope, cheetah cubs, warthogs, and porcupines. Adult males and females find each other through scent , and a male may follow a female around for several days before she is ready to breed. Even then, a breeding encounter can be dangerous, as both cats have sharp claws and teeth and know how to use them!

A pregnant female uses a cave, burrow, or an opening in thick vegetation as a birthing den. She stays with her cubs, usually two or three in a litter, continually for their first few days before she finally ventures out for food. The cubs are born with little hair and their eyes are sealed. As they get older, Mom may have to leave her cubs for several days while she hunts. At about three months of age, the cubs venture out with their mother to learn hunting skills.

Like all young cats, leopard cubs like to play "stalk, pounce, and chase. That's stalking. A quick leap and a grab with the claws is a pounce, and the chase comes if the prey gets away. Leopard cubs play by practicing these behaviors on their siblings and even on their mother. It's a good way to learn how to survive when they get older.

Young leopards are usually ready to head out on their own between 12 and 18 months and are ready to start a family of their own at two to three years. Leopards rarely roar; their voice is more of a raspy bark. White spots on the tip of the tail and back of the ears help leopards locate and communicate with each other in tall grass. Except during breeding season, leopards lead a solitary life, marking their territory with urine, rubbing the face against rocks or tree trunks, scraping at the ground or rolling on it, and by shredding tree bark with their claws.

Fighting between males is common and can be deadly. Although the leopard is an adaptable cat, able to live in various habitats, some leopard subspecies are at critical risk. Leopard-skin coats were legal for many years and are still sold secretly. Many trees in leopard habitats have been cut down for building projects. Poachers kill leopards for their whiskers, which are used in some West African potions.