5 Facts about Leopards

5 facts about leopards. 5 facts about elephants are some of the interesting things about leopards that you may not have known but are worth noting as you look to visit Tanzania on Tanzania safaris to see leopards, among other animals in their natural wild. Leopards are one of the big 5 animals, much sought after by travelers who visit Tanzania on Tanzania safari tours. Leopards are one of the cats, much sought after travelers who visit Africa for wild game viewing. Leopards have small but longer bodies, short legs with large skulls, and most a times mistaken for a jaguar. The difference between leopards and jaguars is that leopards are slightly smaller in size, have lighter physique, well-camouflaged fur, have a broad diet, strength and opportunistic behaviour, and they do have a great ability to adapt to various inhabitants. You can find leopards in savanna grasslands, as well as in jungles, arid montane areas and others.

As earlier mentioned, leopards are one of the big 5 animals most sought after by travelers, with the other big 5 animals including lions, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos. Leopards are also from the cat family, with other cats including lions, cheetahs and jaguars which are also quite sought after by travelers on Tanzania safari tours.

In Tanzania, leopards can be found in a number of Tanzania national parks and game reserves. Most commonly, leopards in Tanzania have been sighted in Tarangire National Park, Serengeti national Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Selous Game Reserve, among so many others. Below are the top 5 facts about leopards worth noting;

Leopards are solitary animals

Leopards are very solitary animals, rarely seen moving with mates. Leopards are usually seen strolling in the savanna plains of their inhabitants, only seen in pairs during the mating season. After the mating and gestation period which takes about 3 months, leopards go back to their solitary lives.

Leopards are the smallest of the large cat family

One of the top 5 facts about leopards is that leopards are the smallest of the large cat family. The large cat family is composed of lions, leopards, cheetahs and jaguars. Leopards, since are small in size have great physique and thus can run much faster, and climb the trees which they most a times inhabit. A leopard’s body grows to an average length of 92 to 190 centimetres, while their tail grows for about 99cm. male and female leopards have differing weight and length. Male leopards stand at 60 to 70 cm while females stand at 57 to 64 cm. while male leopards weigh about 37 to 90kgs, female leopards weigh 28 to 60kgs. Despite being the smallest in the big cat family, leopards are strong enough to carry their prey or kill up a tree branch, to devour it in peace away from scavengers.

Leopards are ambush predators

Leopards have been noted to b ambush predators, lying in wait for their prey studying them before pouncing on them in one swift fly and jump. Given that leopards are one of the fastest animals, running at 58km per hour, during their hunting times leopards can stalk their target just a few meters away, waiting to ambush them. Once the prey is close enough, the leopards make swift and ferocious moves aiming for the neck of the target killing it immediately.

Leopards are not picky eaters

Leopards are not picky eaters, having been seen eating just about anything. Leopards have been noted eating everything in their carnivorous diet, unlike other cats. Leopards can eat reptiles like snakes, fish, medium sized animals like zebras, warthogs, antelopes, wildebeests, rats and so much more. Leopards can take long on end days without water, making use of what they find in their prey.

Leopards are adaptive

Leopards are adaptive in nature. Out of the other big cat family, leopards have been noted to be very adaptive, thriving in any habitant. Leopards can be found in savanna parks like Serengeti National Park, in rain forests, montane, mountains, shrubs, and even in swampy areas. In all areas and vegetation leopards can thrive, with so much ease, thus no wonder that they can be found in different parts and parks in Tanzania and the rest pf East Africa. Leopards are not territorial, like lions.

Leopards are one of the various animals in Tanzania that you shall get an opportunity to see while on game drives in Tanzania. Being one of the most sought after big 5 animals in Tanzania, more and more travelers visit for an opportunity to see them in the wild. Looking to see leopards in their natural habitat? Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you create one of the best Tanzania safaris, taking in some of the best places to see leopards in the wild.