LEOPARDS

By Elise S.

Table of ContentsIntroductionTypes of leopardsA leopards bodyFood!On the huntCubsIn dangerThe hunt of a mother leopardConclusionGlossary

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IntroA leopard is a huge wild cat who prowls and climbs the jungles of Asia, and the savannahs of Africa. When a leopard is around you won’t find many other animals except birds high in the sky or unsuspecting animals grazing. Along with lions, leopards rule the territory they live in. There’re stealthy and sneaky, hunting for them is like walking for us. They are also caring mothers and fierce protectors of their territory and cubs. They are swift and graceful, however they are near extinction and we need to understand them and know about them to help them. In this book you will learn almost everything it takes to be a leopard like what they eat, how they hunt, and about their cubs.

Welcome to the world of the Leopards

Types of LeopardsThere are 8 different types of leopards living on earth today. Anatolian leopards, North Persian leopards, Amur leopards, java leopards, North Chinese leopards, Sri Lankan leopards, Baluchistan leopards, and South Arabian leopards.

Anatolian leopard drinking Amur leopard Baluchistan leopard Java leopard

North Chinese leopard Persian leopard South Arabian leopard Sri Lankan leopard

Not Leopards

Snow leopards & clouded leopards are called “leopards” but they are not even closely related to true leopards, pure leopards.Clouded leopard on the right, snow leopard on the left

A Leopards BodyBendable backbone to make long strides while running.

Sharp ears for listing for prey

Excellent vision, day & night

Long claws to grab and hold prey, climb trees, and dig into the ground while running

Long tail to hold balance while running

Long, strong legs for running,jumping, swimming, and climbing

A leopard’s body is not built for runningafter prey. It’s build to hide, sneak up on prey, and pounce. Their back legs a really strong to help them with this method of hunting, however they also help them with climbing, swimming, and running. Their front legs are designed to capture prey, climb, swim, and run like their back legs, but aren’t as strong.

Food!Leopards are carnivores. People can’t say which food leopards prefer because each one has it’s own favorite. They mainly feed on boars, deer, birds, rodents, fish, reptiles, hares, water hogs, hyraxes, and even monkeys and baboons. Sometimes they get close to farms and attack cattle and sheep.

Wild boar Deer Rodents Fish

Snake Hares Hyraxes Baboon

Monkeys

On the HuntA leopard’s body is built to stalk prey and catch them off guard, unlike a cheetah who runs after it’s prey. Like most other animals leopards single out the younger or more weaker animals when hunting. They look for a small hers grazing, this means less eyes searching for danger.

These leopards waiting andlisting, smelling, and lookingfor an animal easier to catchand big enough to be worth the chase.

This leopard is stalking an animal,with it’s head down listing for a reaction.

This leopard is in the groundwaiting for the antelope to puttheir heads down and resume grazing.

This leopard had jumped and caughtthis antelope.

This leopard caught and isdragging a gazelle up thistree to keep it safe fromother animals like lions and hyenas who would eat it.

You may be wondering why other leopards don’t steal each other's food. This is because leopards are territorial animals and drive other leopards from their territory to protect good hunting places, water, food they already caught and their young.

Cubs

In Danger

The Hunt of a Mother Leopard

ConclusionFor a long time people were afraid and interested of/in leopards. It’s true that leopards will and can attack cattle it they get hungry enough, but that rarely ever happens and they don’t attack human unless they feel threatened. They also help control the population of their prey . Without these sleek beautiful creatures other animals like deer will over populate soon and cause problems with they way we live and rely on the way the world is to survive. In this book you learned about what leopards eat, how they hunt, about their young, and why there’re in danger. If you want to learn more about leopards you can find books in your local library or search up specific information on the internet. I hope this book helped you and you enjoy learning about leopards.

GlossaryBeautiful – another word fore pretty or gorgeous Carnivore – an animal that only eats meatCheetah – a thin wild cat, has small black spots and lives in the savannah Danger – the possibility of being harmed or injured Endangered – threatened with extinction Grazing – and animal eating grassHabitat – the place and animal lives, the biome it lives inHerd – a group of herbivores that live and migrate together (if that type of animal migrates) Impala – a large member that that lives in Asia or Africa , similar to a deer of gazelle Jaguar – a large wildcat, member of the big cat family, lives in the jungle, and has large thick rosettesLeopard – a large mammal, member of the big cat family, lives in Asia or Africa, and has small

rosettes all over it’s body with small spots in between themLitter – a group of young animals born at the same timeLunges – a huge jump, usually further and faster than normal Monkey – a small mammal that lives and climbs in the trees of the rainforest, eats fruits, and has a tail like a safety ropePrey – an animal that is hunted and eaten by another animalRosettes – the c shaped markings on an animal’s fur Starvation – going to hungry Territorial – an animal that lives and hunts in it’s own territoryTerritory – a place where an animal lives, hints, stays within the boundaries of and protects