Page 19 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

Pantherinae

Leopards

The smallest member of the Pantherinae is
also considered the stealthiest. This cat spends
most of its time in total silence, stalking
antelopes and gazelles. Its dappled pattern
of rosettes provides near-perfect camouflage
against the dusty African backdrop. When
hunting, leopards crouch low to the ground
and take slow steps to remain invisible.
The hunter can be as little as three metres
(ten feet) away from oblivious prey before
pouncing. Leopards can leap six metres (20
feet) horizontally and three metres (ten feet)
straight upwards, either to lunge in attack
or disappear in the blink of an eye. The first
blow breaks the prey’s neck, immobilising
it completely. The leopard then crushes the
windpipe before dragging it to a secluded tree
perch to eat.
These cats can take down an animal ten
times their weight and cover the carcass with
soil and leaves if they can’t finish it in one
sitting. If the prey escapes the initial pounce,
the hunter isn’t likely to give chase. Its ability
to blend into the background is so good that
it prefers to sit and wait. Leopards can run fast
when they need to, sprinting in bursts up to 60
kilometres (37 miles) per hour.

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