Leopard Trivia

What are leopards classified on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species?

Vulnerable

Taken all together, the leopard meets the A2cd criterion for Vulnerable, based on loss of habitat and prey, and exploitation.

Least Concern

Near Threatened

Endangered

What threatens leopards?

Habitat Loss & Fragmentation

Evidence suggests that leopard populations have been dramatically reduced due to continued persecution with increased human populations, habitat fragmentation, increased illegal wildlife trade, excessive harvesting for ceremonial use of skins, prey base declines and poorly managed trophy hunting.

Illegal Wildlife Trade

Evidence suggests that leopard populations have been dramatically reduced due to continued persecution with increased human populations, habitat fragmentation, increased illegal wildlife trade, excessive harvesting for ceremonial use of skins, prey base declines and poorly managed trophy hunting.

Trophy Hunting

Evidence suggests that leopard populations have been dramatically reduced due to continued persecution with increased human populations, habitat fragmentation, increased illegal wildlife trade, excessive harvesting for ceremonial use of skins, prey base declines and poorly managed trophy hunting.

Prey Loss

Evidence suggests that leopard populations have been dramatically reduced due to continued persecution with increased human populations, habitat fragmentation, increased illegal wildlife trade, excessive harvesting for ceremonial use of skins, prey base declines and poorly managed trophy hunting.

As of 2017, how many subspecies of leopard are recognized?

8

As of 2017, the IUCN SSC Cat Classifaction Task Force of the Cat Specialist Group recognizes 8 subspecies.

27

9

15

Where do leopards typically feed?

In Trees

After killing their prey, leopards carry the carcasses to a secluded feeding location, typically in a nearby tree.

On the Ground

In Burrows

In Water

What kind of recessive genes do black panthers have?

Melanistic

Black panthers are leopards with recessive melanistic genes.

Leucistic

Albino

What habitats do leopards inhabit?

Forest

Leopards inhabit a variety of terrain including forests, savanna, shrubland, grassland, rocky areas, and deserts.

Savanna

Leopards inhabit a variety of terrain including forests, savanna, shrubland, grassland, rocky areas, and deserts.

Grassland

Leopards inhabit a variety of terrain including forests, savanna, shrubland, grassland, rocky areas, and deserts.

Desert

Leopards inhabit a variety of terrain including forests, savanna, shrubland, grassland, rocky areas, and deserts.

What is the leopard’s rhythm?

Nocturnal

Leopards are nocturnal.

Diurnal

Cathemeral

Crepuscular

What continents do leopards inhabit?

Africa

Leopards are widely distributed across Africa and Asia.

Asia

Leopards are widely distributed across Africa and Asia.

North America

South America

Which sex of leopard has larger home ranges?

Male

Similar to other mammalian species, the home ranges of male leopards are larger. Male leopards have a core range of about 12 kilometers squared, with a home range of about 35 kilometers squared. Females have a core range of about 4 kilometers squared with a home range of about 13 kilometers squared.

Female

Which region has the healthiest leopard population?

Southern Africa

Southern Africa likely has the healthiest leopard populations of their entire range.

Southwest Asia

Central Africa

Middle East

How fast can leopards run?

60 kph / 37 mph

Leopards can run at bursts of up to 60 kilometers per hour.

20 kph / 12 mph

30 kph / 19 mph

90 kph / 56 mph

Which of the leopard’s bones has specialized attachment sites for climbing muscles?

Scapula

The leopard’s scapula has specialized attachment sites for climbing muscles.

Vertebrae

Humerus

Radius

The color patterns of leopards vary geographically.

True

The body size and color patterns of leopards vary geographically and probably reflect adaptations to particular habitats. Subspecies are distinguished according to unique pelage characteristics.

False

What is the leopard’s diet?

Carnivorous

Leopards are carnivores.

Herbivorous

Omnivorous

How many leopards are illegally harvested annually?

4,500-7,000

It is suggested that 4,500-7,000 leopards are harvested annually to fuel the demand for leopard skins by followers of the Nazareth Babtist (Shembe) Church only.

45-70

450-700

45,000-70,000

How much have leopard populations declined due to prey loss?

50%

With such reductions to leopard prey, IUCN infers a more than 50% loss of leopard populations across East and West Africa.

25%

75%

95%

Each leopard has a unique coat which can be used for identification.

True

Each individual leopard has a unique coat, which can be used for identification.

False

Leopards are sexually dimorphic in body size.

True, males are larger.

Leopards are sexually dimorphic as males tend to be larger than females. Females range in body mass from 17 to 58 kilograms and in length from 1.7 to 1.9 meters. Males range in mass from 31 to 65 kilograms and in length from 1.6 to 2.3 meters.

True, females are larger.

False.

A majority of leopards live in protected areas.

False

Although habitat reserves and national parks exist throughout their geographic range in Africa, a majority of leopards live outside these protected areas.

True

Leopards will hunt humans.

True

Injured or sickly leopards have also been known to hunt humans as easy prey.

False

Leopards are silent most of the time.

True

Leopards are silent most of the time.

False

How do leopards mark their territories?

Urine

Leopards mark their territory with urine, feces, and claw marks. Leopards may also give a hoarse, rasping cough at repeated intervals to advertise their presence to conspecifics. Males use this unique call to announce territorial boundaries. If another leopard is in the vicinity, it may answer with a similar vocalization and continue vocalizing as it exits the area.

Feces

Leopards mark their territory with urine, feces, and claw marks. Leopards may also give a hoarse, rasping cough at repeated intervals to advertise their presence to conspecifics. Males use this unique call to announce territorial boundaries. If another leopard is in the vicinity, it may answer with a similar vocalization and continue vocalizing as it exits the area.

Claw Marks

Leopards mark their territory with urine, feces, and claw marks. Leopards may also give a hoarse, rasping cough at repeated intervals to advertise their presence to conspecifics. Males use this unique call to announce territorial boundaries. If another leopard is in the vicinity, it may answer with a similar vocalization and continue vocalizing as it exits the area.

Hoarse, Rasping Coughs

Leopards mark their territory with urine, feces, and claw marks. Leopards may also give a hoarse, rasping cough at repeated intervals to advertise their presence to conspecifics. Males use this unique call to announce territorial boundaries. If another leopard is in the vicinity, it may answer with a similar vocalization and continue vocalizing as it exits the area.

For what does a leopard use its spots?

Camouflage

A leopard’s spots allows it to travel inconspicuously and avoid detection.

Attracting a Mate

Communication

What is the leopards’ mating system?

Polygynandrous

Leopards are promiscuous and polygynandrous, as both males and females have multiple mates.

Polygynous

Polyandrous

Monogamous

What type of predator is the leopard?

Ambush

Leopards are ambush predators. Although they can run at bursts of up to 60 kilometers per hour and can jump more than 6 meters horizontally and 3 meters vertically, they are not likely to chase prey.

Pursuit

Ballistic

Forager

How do leopards contribute to the ecosystem?

Control Prey Populations

Leopards positively contribute to the ecosystem by helping to control baboon populations and dispersing seeds that stick to their fur.

Disperse Seeds

Leopards positively contribute to the ecosystem by helping to control baboon populations and dispersing seeds that stick to their fur.

Prevent Disease

What is a group of leopards called?

Leap

A group of leopards is called a “leap” or “prowl.”

Prowl

A group of leopards is called a “leap” or “prowl.”

Pride

Pack

How long do leopards live in the wild?

10-12 Years

Wild leopards may live to be 10 to 12 years old, with the oldest known individual being 17 years old.

1-2 Years

20-22 Years

30-32 Years

Snow leopards and clouded leopards are subspecies of the leopard.

False

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) are classified as separate species from the leopard (Panthera pardus).

True

What is the leopard’s scientific name?

Panthera pardus

The leopard’s scientific name is Panthera pardus.

Neofelis nebulosa

Prionailurus rubiginosus

Panthera uncia

Why are leopards hunted?

Trophy Hunting

Poaching for leopard prey and targeted leopard hunts for the wildlife trade market are taking place. Leopards are often captured for the pet trade and are targeted and hunted as trophy animals for their fur. Retaliatory killings of leopards by farmers protecting their livestock are not uncommon.

Illegal Wildlife Trade

Poaching for leopard prey and targeted leopard hunts for the wildlife trade market are taking place. Leopards are often captured for the pet trade and are targeted and hunted as trophy animals for their fur. Retaliatory killings of leopards by farmers protecting their livestock are not uncommon.

Farmer Retaliation

Poaching for leopard prey and targeted leopard hunts for the wildlife trade market are taking place. Leopards are often captured for the pet trade and are targeted and hunted as trophy animals for their fur. Retaliatory killings of leopards by farmers protecting their livestock are not uncommon.

Exotic Pet Trade

Poaching for leopard prey and targeted leopard hunts for the wildlife trade market are taking place. Leopards are often captured for the pet trade and are targeted and hunted as trophy animals for their fur. Retaliatory killings of leopards by farmers protecting their livestock are not uncommon.

Leopards are economically important for humans as they can be seen in national parks.

True

Leopards are economically important for humans as they can be seen in national parks throughout Asia and Africa.

False

What makes leopards difficult to evaluate?

Wide Geographic Range

Due to their wide geographic range, secretive nature and habitat tolerance, leopards are difficult to categorize as a single species.

Secretive Nature

Due to their wide geographic range, secretive nature and habitat tolerance, leopards are difficult to categorize as a single species.

Habitat Tolerance

Due to their wide geographic range, secretive nature and habitat tolerance, leopards are difficult to categorize as a single species.

Arboreal Lifestyle

Leopards are more diurnal in areas close to humans.

False

Although they sometimes hunt during overcast days, leopards are less diurnal in areas close to humans in comparison to uninhabited areas.

True

Leopards are known to cache food and may continue hunting despite having multiple carcasses already cached.

True

Leopards are known to cache food and may continue hunting despite having multiple carcasses already cached.

False

In what habitat are black panthers most populous?

Forest

Black panthers are most populous in humid forests.

Savanna

Shrubland

Desert

Leopards are arboreal.

True

Leopards favor trees throughout their entire geographic distribution and are most comfortable in the lower forest canopy, where they often feed.

False

What is the leopard’s social system?

Solitary

Leopards are solitary.

Social

How much has leopard range been reduced worldwide in the last 22 years?

30%

It is suspected that suitable leopard range has been reduced by more than 30% worldwide in the last three generations of 22.3 years.

21%

60%

97%

Leopard home ranges tend to overlap.

True

Similar to other mammalian species, the home ranges of male leopards tend to overlap with those of multiple females. In Namibia, the home ranges of males overlapped 46% of the time and those of females overlapped about 35% of the time.

False

Leopard home ranges tend to be larger in what conditions?

Arid

Leopard home ranges tend to be larger in arid conditions.

Humid

Cold

Fertile

How far can leopards jump?

3m (10ft) vertically, 6m (20ft) horizontally

Leopards can jump more than 6 meters horizontally and 3 meters vertically.

6m (20ft) vertically, 9m (30ft) horizontally

9m (30ft) vertically, 12m (39ft) horizontally

12m (39ft) vertically, 15m (49ft) horizontally

Leopards have long legs relative to their body size.

False

Leopards have short legs relative to their long body.

True

Which leopards are the largest?

Forest

Savannah and woodland leopards tend to be relatively large while mountain and desert leopards tend to be relatively small.

Savanna

Savannah and woodland leopards tend to be relatively large while mountain and desert leopards tend to be relatively small.

Rocky

Desert

What is the leopard’s primary prey?

Ungulates

Leopards generally prey upon mid-sized ungulates, which includes small antelopes (Bovidae), gazelles (Gazella), deer (Cervidae), pigs (Sus), primates (Primates) and domestic livestock. Leopards prefer prey that weigh between 10 and 40 kilograms.

Birds

Reptiles

Carrion

Leopard trophy hunting is only banned in some regions.

True

South Africa has banned trophy hunting for 2016.

False

A commercialized bushmeat trade has caused how much of a decline in leopard prey populations?

59%

A commercialized bushmeat trade has caused a 59% decline in leopard prey populations across 78 protected areas between 1970 and 2005.

15%

39%

95%

The leopard’s black rosettes are circular in East Africa and square in South Africa.

True

The leopard’s pelt is covered with black rosettes, which are circular in East Africa and square in South Africa.

False

Leopards tend to have darker coats in warm, dry habitats.

False

The leopard’s coat ranges from tawny or light yellow in warm, dry habitats to reddish-orange in dense forests.

True

Leopards are protected throughout most of their range in west Asia.

True

Currently, leopards are protected throughout most of their range in west Asia; however, populations in this part of their range are too small to maintain stable growth.

False

What types of noises do leopards make?

Growls

Leopards communicate with conspecifics by growling, roaring, and spitting when aggravated. They also make a rasping cough to advertise their presence to conspecifics. Males also grunt at each other and females call to potential mates when in estrous. Some leopards may purr while feeding or when content.

Roars

Leopards communicate with conspecifics by growling, roaring, and spitting when aggravated. They also make a rasping cough to advertise their presence to conspecifics. Males also grunt at each other and females call to potential mates when in estrous. Some leopards may purr while feeding or when content.

Grunts

Leopards communicate with conspecifics by growling, roaring, and spitting when aggravated. They also make a rasping cough to advertise their presence to conspecifics. Males also grunt at each other and females call to potential mates when in estrous. Some leopards may purr while feeding or when content.

Purrs

Leopards communicate with conspecifics by growling, roaring, and spitting when aggravated. They also make a rasping cough to advertise their presence to conspecifics. Males also grunt at each other and females call to potential mates when in estrous. Some leopards may purr while feeding or when content.

Leopards show some resistance to minor habitat disturbances and are relatively tolerant of humans.

True

Leopards appear to show some resistance to minor habitat disturbances and are relatively tolerant of humans.

False

How long is leopard gestation?

3 Months

Leopard gestation lasts 96 days.

1 Month

6 Months

9 Months

Leopards are host to many common felid parasites.

True

Leopards are host to many common felid parasites, including lung flukes (Paragominus westermani), flat worms (Pseudophyllidea), spirurian nematodes (Spiruroidea), hookworms (Ancylostomatidae), lung worms (Aelurostrongylus), intestinal and hepatic parasites (Capillaria), and parasitic protozoa (Sarcocystis).

False

Which sex of leopard initiates mating?

Female

Females attract potential mates by excreting pheromones in their urine. Females initiate mating by walking back and forth in front of a male and brushing up against him or swatting him with her tail. The male then mounts the female while frequently biting her nape.

Male

A leopard can tackle prey how much heavier than itself?

10x

The leopard’s tremendous strength allows it to tackle prey up to 10 times its own weight.

2x

5x

15x

Leopards move den sites frequently.

True

Leopards move den sites frequently, which helps prevent cubs from falling prey to lions (Panthera leo) and other predators.

False

Leopard cubs are born with their eyes open.

False

Leopard cubs weigh less than 1 kilogram at birth, and their eyes remain closed for the first week.

True

Leopards are comfortable in water and are adequate swimmers.

True

Leopards are comfortable in water and are adequate swimmers.

False

What is the leopard cub survival rate?

50%

Survival rates for leopard cubs range from 41% to 50%.

25%

75%

95%

Leopards compete with which animals for food?

Lions

Lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris), spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), and African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) compete with leopards for food.

Tigers

Lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris), spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), and African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) compete with leopards for food.

Spotted Hyaenas

Lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris), spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), and African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) compete with leopards for food.

African Wild Dogs

Lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris), spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), and African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) compete with leopards for food.

What is the primary predator of leopards?

Humans

Humans are the primary predators of leopards.

Lions

Spotted Hyaenas

Tigers

How close can a leopard get to its prey before pouncing?

3 m. / 10 ft.

When hunting, a leopard moves with a slow, crouching walk and approaches potential prey by crouching low to the ground. The predator will get as close as 3 to 10 meters to its prey before pouncing, not allowing the target a chance to react.

1 m. / 3 ft.

5 m. / 16 ft.

10 m. / 33 ft.

When are leopard cubs independent?

20 Months

Cubs are completely weaned by 3 months old and independent at just under 20 months old.

24 Months

12 Months

2 Months

How do leopards avoid competition?

Prey on Smaller Animals

When competition for larger prey items is high, leopards prey on smaller animals, which reduces interspecific competition. They also avoid attacks from potential predators by hunting at different times of the day and avoiding areas where potential predators are most populous. Many of the characteristics that make leopards great predators also serve as excellent predator defense mechanisms. For example, a leopard’s spots allows them to travel inconspicuously and avoid detection.

Hunt at Different Times

When competition for larger prey items is high, leopards prey on smaller animals, which reduces interspecific competition. They also avoid attacks from potential predators by hunting at different times of the day and avoiding areas where potential predators are most populous. Many of the characteristics that make leopards great predators also serve as excellent predator defense mechanisms. For example, a leopard’s spots allows them to travel inconspicuously and avoid detection.

Avoid Populated Areas

When competition for larger prey items is high, leopards prey on smaller animals, which reduces interspecific competition. They also avoid attacks from potential predators by hunting at different times of the day and avoiding areas where potential predators are most populous. Many of the characteristics that make leopards great predators also serve as excellent predator defense mechanisms. For example, a leopard’s spots allows them to travel inconspicuously and avoid detection.

Camouflage

When competition for larger prey items is high, leopards prey on smaller animals, which reduces interspecific competition. They also avoid attacks from potential predators by hunting at different times of the day and avoiding areas where potential predators are most populous. Many of the characteristics that make leopards great predators also serve as excellent predator defense mechanisms. For example, a leopard’s spots allows them to travel inconspicuously and avoid detection.

What part of the leopard is used for tribal culture and traditional medicine?

Fur

Chiefs and warriors from tribal cultures throughout the leopard’s geographic range wear their fur as a symbol of honor and courage. Tribal medicine men and women suggest leopard skins as a remedy for bad omens.

Teeth

Claws

Whiskers

How long do leopards live in captivity?

21-23 Years

In captivity, leopards can live to be 21 to 23 years old, with the oldest known individual being 27 years old.

2-3 Years

11-13 Years

31-33 Years

Leopard Trivia

Published by Noelle M. Brooks

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