African leopard: habitat, habits, description, nature of the animal

On the African continent is a diverse fauna. One of the most beautiful of its predators is the African leopard. It is smaller than a lion in size, but it is a more dexterous and impetuous beast.

Habitat

African leopard, photo of which amaze yourbeauty and greatness, the most common subspecies of wild cats. This animal is found all over the continent, except for the Sahara and the arid Namibia. A small number of leopards live in Morocco, Egypt, Somalia. There is a predator in Niger, Sudan, Kenya. A small population lives in southeastern Algeria, eastern Nigeria and the Cape province.

Habitat

The African leopard prefers wet andimpassable tropics, savannas and semi-deserts. He also lives in a mountainous area, where there are canyon-covered gorges and convenient clefts. Wherever leopards live, there is an obligatory condition - there should be at least a small pond nearby. Predators do not like swimming, but they often hunt at a watering hole, where the victims themselves come.

African leopard: description of appearance

The habitat area strongly affects the size, color andthe mass of leopards. Forest predators are much smaller and lighter than their "mountain" brethren. Their color is bright and juicy tones. The Somali predator is considered the smallest. All leopards have common features of appearance.

Predators strongly developed musculature, the bodyelongate, slightly flattened laterally. Its length along with the tail reaches 2.5 meters. The height of the predator at the withers is 50 to 70 cm in males and not more than 45 cm at the opposite sex. The weight of an adult male is not more than 60 kilograms, in a female it is up to 40 kilograms.

The head of leopards is massive, with a powerful jaw,filled with sharp and strong fangs. 10-centimeter whiskers, white and black, are adorned on the face. Eyes small, with round pupils. Ears are small, bent at the ends. The paws are quite powerful, the feet are wide with retractable claws.

Wool is short and coarse, close tobody. Color varies from sandy-yellow to reddish-red. There are absolutely black leopards. In color variations, the tones are more saturated on the upper part of the trunk (head, back, neck). The belly and the inner part of the limbs are white.

On wool there is a clear pattern in the form of circular andsolid black spots. Each individual has an individual pattern. The neck and muzzle are decorated with black spots smaller. In the same color painted behind the ears. The tail is also stained.

Lifestyle

African leopard character is active, butthis is a single beast. The predator does not stray into flocks and leads a separate way of life, mostly at night. The leopard runs perfectly, speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour. Always marks its territory. With relatives communicates by means of growling and roaring. In order to inform about his presence, the predator coughs hoarsely. After saturation, he reproduces purring sounds.

During the tracking down of the extraction,quietly, slowly, pressing against the ground. Leopards can jump to a height of up to three meters, and in length - up to 6 m. They have remarkable hearing and sight. Predators do not drink much water, since most of the liquid is derived from their prey.

Food

African leopard eating prettyvariously. Its menu includes both beetles and giraffes. The predator tries to fill up ungulates, which weigh about 20-80 kilograms. When a large individual comes across, the leopard feeds on it for two weeks. The least predator is hunting for giraffes and zebras. In extreme cases, he can eat carrion.

Leopard drags caught prey on a tree,often at a height of up to six meters. At the same time, the weight of the carcass often exceeds 100 kilograms. Their victims leopards hunt, then lightning attack from cover and choke or bite the neck. With other predators, they try not to engage in fights. In case of bad hunting, a hungry beast can attack livestock.

Reproduction

African leopard forms a pair only in the periodreproduction. As soon as the females are ready for the mating season, they exude screaming invocations and make calling sounds. Despite the fact that leopards are by nature their own individual, the territory of the opposite sex is close.

Predator immediately senses the willingness of the female, which canto show to the chosen one even aggression. This is a natural part of the marriage ritual. The maturity of females occurs at 2 years, the opposite sex at 1.5 years. The offspring are born from 3 to 3.5 months. Cubs are born blind, weight from 280-500 grams. The length of them along with the tail at this moment is about 40 centimeters.

Usually leopards are born from two to three cubs. They open their eyes in a week and a half. Mother's milk is nourished for up to 4 months. Independent life begins at 1.5 years.

Leopards live free from 12 to 17 years. The main threat to predators is a person who hunts for a beautiful fur. Therefore, the number of leopards is steadily declining. The reason for this is the loss of habitats due to deforestation.

Therefore, leopards are already listed in the Red Book. National parks and reserves are created in which predators can live peacefully. Part of the subspecies is threatened with complete extinction.