Picture courtesy Alan Morton, Wildlife Photographer
Leopard
Shoulder height: 70 cm
Mass: 60 to 80 kg
Gestation: 105 days
Duration of life: In captivity 20 years, much less in their natural environment
Predominantly nocturnal in habit and covert by nature. There prey ranges from rats to fully grown wildebeest. Baboons rank quite high on their preference list. Although a leopard is driven by hunger, and attempts to snatch a baboon from a troop, it could be dangerous for the leopard. On a case reported once a Leopard attacked a male baboon and was then killed by another male who severed the leopard's jugular veins. Leopards drink water when it is available.
This graceful and powerful animal is undoubtedly one of natures most beautiful creatures. Leopards do not roar like a lion, instead they utter coarse, grunting sounds and can also emit spine-chilling snarls and growls. The leopard male does not help in protecting the cubs.
Enemies of the Leopard are: pythons, crocodiles and old or disabled leopard also fall prey to wild dogs and hyenas. Leopards are very susceptible to diseases such as cat flu, pneumonia, stomach blockages, parasites as well as deficiency diseases.
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