The African continent has a diverse fauna. One of its most beautiful predators is the African leopard. It is smaller than a lion, but it is a more agile and swift beast.
Habitat
African leopard, photos of which amaze with their beauty and grandeur, the most common subspecies of wild cats. This beast is found throughout the continent, with the exception of the Sahara and arid Namibia. A small number of leopards live in Morocco, Egypt, Somalia. There is a predator in Niger, Sudan, Kenya. A small population lives in southeastern Algeria, eastern Nigeria and the Cape.
Habitat
The African leopard prefers humid and rugged tropics, savannas and semi-deserts. It also lives in mountainous areas, where there are gorges overgrown with shrubs and convenient crevices. Wherever leopards live, there is a prerequisite - there should be at least a small reservoir nearby. Predators do not like to swim, but they often hunt at the watering place, where the victims themselves come.
African leopard: appearance description
The habitat greatly affects the size,color and mass of leopards. Forest predators are much smaller and lighter than their "mountain" counterparts. Their color is distinguished by bright and juicy tones. The smallest is considered the Somali predator. All leopards have common features in appearance.
The predators have highly developed muscles, the body is elongated, slightly flattened laterally. Its length together with the tail reaches 2.5 meters. The height of the predator at the withers is from 50 to 70 cm in males and no more than 45 cm in the opposite sex. The weight of an adult male is no more than 60 kilograms, for a female - up to 40 kg.
The head of leopards is massive, with a powerful jaw, filled with sharp and strong fangs. A 10-centimeter mustache, white and black, flaunts on the muzzle. The eyes are small, with round pupils. The ears are small, curved at the ends. The paws are quite powerful, the feet are wide with retractable claws.
The coat is short and coarse, lying close to the body. The color varies from sandy yellow to reddish-brown. There are also completely black leopards. In color variations, the tones are more saturated on the upper part of the body (head, back, neck). The belly and the inside of the limbs are white.
The wool has a clear pattern in the form of circular and solid black spots. Each individual has an individual pattern. The neck and muzzle are decorated with smaller black spots. The ears are painted in the same color on the back. The tail is also spotted.
Lifestyle
The African leopard has an active character, but it is a lone animal. The predator does not stray into flocks and leads an isolated lifestyle, mostly nocturnal. Leopard excellentruns, speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour. Always marking his territory. Communicates with relatives through growls and roars. In order to announce its presence, the predator coughs hoarsely. Produces purring sounds when saturated.
While stalking prey, moves very quietly, slowly, clinging to the ground. Leopards can jump up to three meters high and up to 6 m long. They have excellent hearing and vision. Predators don't drink much water as they get most of their liquid from their prey.
Food
African leopard eats quite diversely. Its menu includes both beetles and giraffes. The predator tries to overwhelm ungulates, which weigh about 20-80 kilograms. When a large individual comes across, the leopard feeds on it for two weeks. Least of all, the predator manages to hunt giraffes and zebras. In a pinch, it can feed on carrion.
Leopard drags caught prey up a tree, often up to six meters high. In this case, the weight of the carcass is often over 100 kilograms. Leopards track down their victims, then attack with lightning speed from a hiding place and strangle or bite through the neck. They try not to fight with other predators. In case of poor hunting, a hungry animal can attack livestock.
Reproduction
The African leopard only pairs during the breeding season. As soon as the females are ready for the mating season, they exude inviting smells and make calling sounds. Despite the fact that leopards are by nature solitary, territoriesopposite sexes are side by side.
The predator immediately senses the readiness of the female, which can even show aggression towards the chosen one. It is a natural part of the marriage ritual. Sexual maturity of females occurs at 2 years, in the opposite sex - at 1.5 years. The offspring is hatched from 3 to 3.5 months. Cubs are born blind, weighing from 280-500 gr. Their length together with the tail at this moment is approximately 40 centimeters.
Typically, leopards have two to three cubs. They open their eyes after a week and a half. Mother's milk is fed up to 4 months. Independent life begins at 1.5 years old.
Leopards live free from 12 to 17 years. The main threat to predators is a man who hunts for beautiful fur. Therefore, the number of leopards is steadily declining. The reason for this is the loss of habitats due to deforestation.
Therefore, leopards are already listed in the Red Book. National parks and reserves are being created in which predators can live in peace. Some subspecies are in danger of extinction.
