Did you know...?

Leopards are excellent athletes running up to 36 miles an hour (58 kilometers per hour) and jumping 20 feet (6 meters) forwards or jump ten feet (3 meters) straight up

Leopards are surprisingly strong. They can carry an animal heavier than themselves up a tree as high as 50 feet (15 meters)!

Leopards have keen vision and hearing which come in handy for hunting as they hunt predominantly at night. Leopards don´t like to run long distances so they stalk and then pounce on their prey.

Because food can be scarce leopards will often store food for later. They even stash food up high in trees so that lions or hyenas can’t get it.

Leopard cubs play by practicing their hunting skills like stalking, pouncing, and chasing on their brothers, sisters, and even on their mother.

Leopards can get all the moisture they need from their food meaning they can survive without drinking!

Scientists believe the coloring of spotted cats helps them hide from their prey, breaking up their outline in forests or grasslands

Leopards can hear five times more sounds than humans, even the ultrasonic squeaks made by mice.

The Plight of the Leopard

Currently, leopards are facing a very high risk of extinction are a result of human interference. in fact all leopard subspecies are either endangered or threatened. Because of their beautiful spotted coats leopards were poached and their skins worn for fashion. Although trade in leopard skins is now illegal, it is believe that they are still killed and their pelts sold on the black market. Many trees in leopard habitats have been cut down for building projects and leopard whiskers are used in some alternative medicines. In addition farmers also kill leopards to protect their livestock. .

These fun facts are from the The San Diego Zoo Website