African Leopard

The African leopard is a subspecies of the leopard. It mostly inhabits the region south of the Sahara, although some have been found in North Africa. Their fur can range in color from pale yellow to dark gold and is covered with black rosettes. Some African leopards are completely black. Male leopards weigh between 110 and 200 lbs. with an average length of 7 feet and a tail around 3 feet long.

Scientific Name: Panthera pardus pardus

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Location

African leopards can be found throughout Africa in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and mountains. However, it is unusual to see a leopard in West Africa. They are most active at night. The home range of a male can overlap with several females.

Prey

The African leopard’s diet is extremely varied. It includes antelopes, impalas, gazelles, small mammals, hares, dung beetles, rodents, and birds. In tropical rainforests, it will also eat primates. Leopards are known to hide antelopes and other large prey in trees.

Conservation

The African leopards’ survival is threatened by habitat loss, prey depletion, and human conflict. The land they inhabit is becoming increasingly fragmented, encroached on by commercial mining and logging ventures, and urbanized. Leopards are protected in the Kruger National Park, Virunga National Park, Etosha National Park and Tai National Park.