INDIAN LEOPARD

INDIAN LEOPARD

Classification
 

Kingdom :	Animalia
Phylum :	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order :	Carnivora
Family :	Felidae
Genus :	Panthera
Species:	P. pardus
Zoological name :	Panthera pardus
Found In :	Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve

Physical appearance : Their head is larger than their body. Male weigh around 91 kg and the females weigh around 60 kg. It has long dark tail measuring 3 feet. Males are usually larger than the females. The leopard's coat has a background color of pale, cream-yellow on its underside that darkens slightly to an orange-brown on its back. It has short eyes and broad paws. They have dark spots on their face, head, throat, chest, and legs. The rest of their body is covered in "rosettes".

Presence in India : Indian Leopards are easily spotted in the Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park and Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary.

Habitat : Indian Leopards prefer dry deciduous forests, desert ecosystems, tropical rainforests and northern coniferous forests.

Diet : Indian Leopards are carnivorous. They feed on monkeys, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, wild pigs, wild boars and many more.

Reproduction :Indian Leopards mate through out the year. Females give birth to two cubs per litter. Cubs are weaned at about 4 months of age. New born open up their eyes between eight to tenth day of the birth.

Conservation status : Critically endangered

Lifespan : Indian Leopards live u to the 21 -23 years of age.