10 leopard facts!
Find out all about leopards!
They’re fierce, fast and fur-ocious – join National Geographic Kids as we check out these amazing leopard facts!
Leopard facts
1. Most leopards are light coloured and have dark spots on their fur. These spots are called “rosettes” because their shape is similar to that of a rose. There are also black leopards, too, whose spots are hard to see because their fur is so dark.
2. Leopards can be found in various places around the world – they live in Sub-Saharan Africa, northeast Africa, Central Asia, India and China.
3. Leopards are fast felines and can run at up to 58km/h! They’re super springy, too, and can leap 6m forward through the air – that’s the length of three adults lying head to toe!
4. Leopards are very solitary and spend most of their time alone. They each have their own territory, and leave scratches on trees, urine scent marks and poop to warn other leopards to stay away! Males and females will cross territories, but only to mate.
5. These big cats have a varied diet and enjoy different kinds of grub. They eat bugs, fish, antelope, monkeys, rodents, deer…in fact, pretty much any prey that is available!
6. Leopards are skilled climbers, and like to rest in the branches of trees during the day. They are strong beasts, too, and can carry their heavy prey up into the trees so that pesky scavengers, such as hyenas, don’t steal their meal!
7. Nocturnal animals, leopards are active at night when they venture out in search for food. They mostly spend their days resting, camouflaged in the trees or hiding in caves.
8. When it comes to hunting for food, these big cats know their stuff! When a leopard spots a potential meal, it approaches with legs bent and head low, so as not to be seen. It then stalks its prey carefully and quietly, until it’s five to ten metres within range. Then…. pounce! The leopard dashes forward and takes down its victim with a bite to the throat or neck. Small prey, such as small birds or mice, will receive a fatal blow from the feline’s paw. Ouch!
9. Female leopards give birth any time of the year – when they do, they usually give birth to two or three cubs. Mothers stay with their cubs until they are about two years old, when they are old enough to hunt and take care of themselves.
10. Leopards communicate with each other through distinctive calls. For instance, when a male wants to make another leopard aware of his presence, he’ll make a hoarse, raspy cough. They also growl when angry and, like domestic cats, purr when happy and relaxed. Cute, eh?
LEAVE A COMMENT
THANK YOU
Your comment will be checked and approved shortly.
WELL DONE,
YOUR COMMENT
HAS BEEN ADDED!
COMMENTS
these facts are cool
This is nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really liked it these facts
WOW!! Very Interesting Facts!
really liked liked the words and points you used.
I had a dream with baby leopards
lol wow
Very good
Hi I like reading a lot can you make one about hipos
WOW!
hi
wow
cool
cool
I did this for school and it’s just great
awesome
goodddddd
Thanks for the facts!
You need more facts
wow thats a some awonse facts
Epic
Awesome!
excellent facts
I love leopards so much! I was soooo EXCITED when they came out at HAMILTON ZOO! LOVE Leah
cool
These are great facts
yay
You work very hard
So interesting!learningful too!
awesome!
Your facts are really interesting. My brother and I like reading your magazines.
Cool
Wow
lol
I love leopard
okay it is okay
cool
so cool
cant wait wow lol cool
your cool
Cool
Wow they are amazing little creatures well I should say big and fierce
Best site ever
Great Facts
i love leapords
I like leopards beacase they are really cute
leopard cubs are adorable say yesiris if you agree
Leopards are soft and fast. THEY ARE THE BEST.
so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love leopards
Leopards are so interesting!
I love the cat family!
leopards are awesome!
can you do something about Amur Leopards cos my freind loves them :)
love big cat's
Leopards are so awesome and fast and so cool
leopards are the best no animal can jump like leopards
the leopard fact were awesome.
Im in leopards class
Nice. I like leopards. Theyre my favourite animals.
My favorite animal is a leopard. I like big cats. Which animal is YOUR favorite?
I love leopards!
The cubs are sooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Omg so cute
this is really cool facts
cool
leopard cubs are sooo cute
i see you:)
Wow love the pics
It looks FAST WOOO HOOO
it was amazing i could read it all 1090 times
I love wild creatures especially wolves an d leopards
Wow amazing I didnt know they could communicate
I love leopards
nice
awsome
I hate this!!!!!!!!!!!!its so annoying
nice
sup
NNNIIICCCEEE
awsome
cool
Epic
The facts taught me a lot!
Bob
LOL How long do they live though?
The facts taught me so much!
cool :D
love all cats big and fierce or small and cute
I love this website
I love these facts. I am very pashionate about big cats
I LOVE LEOPARDS
COOL
it is so cool lol
10000 million love leopards
Very interesting! I have to say I learnt a thing or two! Thank you for sharing information on these beautiful cats!
WOW these facts are great!
I love leopards!!!
This is PAWSOME I really do love leopards oh also this helped me with my presentation for school thank you Ng kids
I love big cats every one of them leopards tigers lions snow leopards and everything I like meerkats aswell . Lol!
I like leapords
leopards are awsome
I love leopards great info
I love leopards great info
I LOVE LEOPARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im interested in the whole world
im interested in the whole world
I like leaperds
The leopard facts were cool.
The leopard facts were superb.
The leopard facts were awesome.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR AVATAR