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| − | :Persian leopard.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor)]]:Persian leopard.jpg|thumb|300px|right]][[File:Wiki.png|thumb|186px|right|A Northern Chinese Leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis)]] |
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| + | Leopards (Panthera pardus) are a member of the cat family (''Felidae'') and is the smallest cat of the genus ''Panthera, ''with the jaguar being the 3rd largest cat in the genus Panthera. Leopards are found from Asia, Africa, and Siberia. |
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| + | [[File:Persian_leopard.jpg|right|thumb|A Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor)]] |
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| + | Compared to others of the Felidae family, leopards have relatively short legs and a long body with a large skull. It has a similar appearance to the jaguar, but is smaller and more slightly built. |
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| + | The species' success in the wild is in part due to its unique way of hunting, its adaptability to habitats, its ability to run at speeds approaching 58 kph/36mph, its unequaled ability to climb trees even when carrying a heavy carcass, and its notorious ability for stealth. The leopard consumes virtually any animal it can hunt down and catch. Its habitat ranges from rainforests to deserts. |
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| + | ==Food== |
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| + | Leopards aren't picky predators. They hunt mainly gazelles, impalas, and other hooved mammals. They will also feed on carcasses if to do so. |
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| + | [[File:Leopard-kill-impala-in-tree-1.3.jpg|thumb|An impala head as a result of a leopard's kill]] |
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| + | ==Appearance & color== |
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| + | Leopards with melanism are known as black panthers, so as jaguars. Leopards' fur is marked with rosettes similar to those of the jaguar, but the leopard's rosettes have no central spots, unlike the jaguar. |
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| + | ==Threats== |
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| + | The leopard has no natural predator. Humans hunt leopards for their skin and fur. |
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Revision as of 11:38, 16 June 2010
Leopards (Panthera pardus) are a member of the cat family (Felidae) and is the smallest cat of the genus Panthera, with the jaguar being the 3rd largest cat in the genus Panthera. Leopards are found from Asia, Africa, and Siberia.
A Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor)
Compared to others of the Felidae family, leopards have relatively short legs and a long body with a large skull. It has a similar appearance to the jaguar, but is smaller and more slightly built.
The species' success in the wild is in part due to its unique way of hunting, its adaptability to habitats, its ability to run at speeds approaching 58 kph/36mph, its unequaled ability to climb trees even when carrying a heavy carcass, and its notorious ability for stealth. The leopard consumes virtually any animal it can hunt down and catch. Its habitat ranges from rainforests to deserts.
Food
Leopards aren't picky predators. They hunt mainly gazelles, impalas, and other hooved mammals. They will also feed on carcasses if to do so.
An impala head as a result of a leopard's kill
Appearance & color
Leopards with melanism are known as black panthers, so as jaguars. Leopards' fur is marked with rosettes similar to those of the jaguar, but the leopard's rosettes have no central spots, unlike the jaguar.
Threats
The leopard has no natural predator. Humans hunt leopards for their skin and fur.