African Leopards:
Incredible Hunters in the Wild

African leopards are probably the most common of the leopard subspecies that has a minimal conservation concern.

Habitat

They are widely seen in Africa particularly in the mountainous forests, grasslands, and even the savannahs with the exception of the extreme sandy deserts. However, they would prefer the undisturbed rainforest where they can freely hunt their prey and escape from humans. In the summer heat, they can be seen in caves or draped over a branch of a tree.

Physical Characteristics

The physical characteristic of leopards may vary depending on its habitat or location. Their coat colors can range from reddish brown, dark yellow, or even cream, depending on their natural geographic habitat. The different colors and patterns, all depending on its habitat is just so amazing.

They are covered with black rosettes with no spots where the pattern is unique in every individual.

Those found in the East Africa have a more circular spot, while in Southern Africa, African leopards have square spots. Male leopards are distinctly heavier and larger than the females.

They prefer to live in solitude, and it is very unlikely that they would be seen in groups. Even one leopard sighting is good!

a Leopard in Kruger National Park, S.A.

Hunting for Survival

This animal has strong survival skills, which is why their diet and prey by African leopards may vary.

They can eat rodents, insects, reptiles, mammals, and if the food is scarce, they can also take in domestic livestock. They are considered the most remarkable hunters, and they are so strong that they can even carry their prey more than what they actually weigh way up to the trees to keep it protected from scavengers.

They usually do not hunt until it gets dark because they are nocturnal animals; however, they can be opportunists too. If the need arises, they will also hunt during day time.

They move with caution. They stalk the target prey and run to them in short distances at a top speed of 37 miles/hour, then kill them by suffocation with the aid of their tough jaws.

It is very rare that the leopards fight with other predators for food. They need water to survive, but sometimes they get them from the prey itself.

Leopard on Tree
Photo Credit:US Fish and Wildlife Service

Leopard Cubs

It takes around a hundred days of gestation before two or three cubs are born.

For the first two months, the cubs are hidden and are continued to be suckled up to its third month. They are occasionally transferred in order to protect them from other predators.

It is not until they are in their fourth month that the mother starts to let them go for hunting.

The cubs stay with the mother for up to two years; and when they begin to be weaned, starting off with hunting small animals first.

Scientific Classification of the African Leopard

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Felidae
Genus	Panthera
Species	P. pardus
Subspecies	P. p. pardus
Trinomial Name	Panthera pardus pardus

Leopard Subspecies

There are at least 7 other leopard subspecies, several with their natural habitats outside Africa.

Another subspecies, the Barbary Leopard, Panthera pardus panthera, is also found in Africa, in the Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa (Morocco). Although it resembles the East African leopard, it has a thicker coat due to its snowy, mountainous home. They are on the endangered species list.

The Zanzibar leopard is now believed to be extinct, unfortunately.

African Safaris

If you would like to see leopards and other African wildlife in their natural habitats, you can do this on an African safari. Click to view hundreds of options for tours & Safaris in Africa. You can also find out more about the safari options available, get answers to your questions, and to make bookings.