Not to be confused with its big cat cousins, the cheetah and jaguar, the leopard is the most elusive big cat. Leopards often spend time in solitude and hunt primarily during the night. Here are a few fun facts about this beautifully spotted wild cat:

Fun Facts

  • Their golden spotted bodies allow them to blend into the undergrowth. Camouflage is essential when the big cat is hunting.
  • You can find leopards all over the world, but their numbers are quickly declining.
  • This big cat can grow to 3 feet in length. Their tail adds 39 inches. Females and males grow to be different weights. Females weigh on average 132 pounds, while males weigh 165 pounds.
  • Leopards can live in varying environments. Currently, they are found in the Arabian Peninsula, Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Turkey, and Asia. They can adapt and survive in virtually any kind of environment.
  • Leopards, like any other cat, are carnivores. They spend the majority of their nights hunting. During the day, the big cat lounges about, possibly after a big meal.
  • Compared to their cousins, Leopards are small in stature. They are the smallest member of the large cat family.
  • Leopards are ambush predators; they sneak up on their prey and pounce, giving the target no time to react.
  • Their offspring often consists of a litter of two or three cubs hidden away in a den.
  • Female Leopards have a gestation period of three months and deliver cubs weighing an average of 21 ounces.
  • Leopards have been observed to live longer in captivity compared to in the wild.