Leopards are categorized into the following five species:

1. Indochinese Leopard

The Indochinese Leopard (scientific name: Panthera pardus delacouri) is a large cat, with a body shape similar to that of a tiger, but significantly smaller; a small head and a long tail, and short, sturdy limbs; the fur is yellow and full of black ringed spots; the spots on the head are small and dense, and those on the back are dense and larger. The spots are in a round or oval prune-like pattern. And quite similar to the ancient copper money, so it is also known as the "money leopard".

2. African Leopard

African leopard (scientific name: Panthera pardus pardus) is the leopard's named subspecies, weight 40-90 kg, speed up to 70km/h. Muscular, neck and head strong and powerful. The head is small and the tail is long, and the limbs are short and healthy; the tip of the tail is thick and heavy, which helps it to keep the balance of the body when running at high speed. The coat is yellow and covered with black ring spots; the spots on the head are small and dense, the spots on the back are dense and larger, the spots are in a round or oval plum-shaped pattern, the forefeet are 5 toes, the hindfeet are 4 toes, the claws are grayish-white, and they can be retracted.

3. Persian Leopard

The Persian leopard (scientific name: Panthera pardus saxicolor) is the largest of the many leopard subspecies. The head is small and the tail is long, the limbs are short and robust; the fur is yellow and covered with black ring spots; the spots on the head are small and dense, the spots on the back are dense and larger, and the spots are in the form of round or oval prune-like patterns. The forefeet are 5-toed, the hindfeet 4-toed, and the claws are grayish-white and capable of stretching.?

4. Far Eastern Leopard

The Far Eastern Leopard (scientific name: Panthera pardus orientalis) is a subspecies of the leopard, and is a large cat second only to the Northeast Tiger in size in the northern frigid regions, with a small head and a long tail, and short, healthy limbs; the fur is yellow, covered with black rings; the spots on the head are small and dense, and those on the back are dense and large, with spots in a round or oval prune-like pattern. Oval plum blossom-like pattern, and quite similar to the ancient copper coins, so it is also known as the "money leopard. It has five toes on its forefeet and four toes on its hind feet, and its claws are grayish-white in color and can be extended and retracted.

5. Arabian leopard

Arabian leopard (scientific name: Panthera pardus nimr) belongs to the endangered wildlife, in the nine leopard subspecies is obviously smaller; head small tail long, short limbs healthy; fur was yellow, full of black ring spots; head of the spots are small and dense, the back of the spots are dense and larger, the spots were round or oval prune-like pattern. The forefeet are 5-toed, the hindfeet 4-toed, and the claws are grayish-white and retractable.

The leopard (scientific name: Panthera pardus) is the smallest of the four big cats (the remaining three are lions, tigers and jaguars), with an average overall length of about 2 meters and a healthy weight of 60-100 kg. Running speed can reach 80 kilometers per hour. The body is yellow or orange-yellow, and the whole body is covered with black spots of different sizes or ancient money-like black rings.

The leopard can be said to be an agile hunter, athletic stature, flexible movement, running speed. Both can swim and climb trees. The leopard has a sharp temperament, a good sense of smell, hearing and vision, exceptional intelligence, strong stealth, and a long tail that helps the leopard keep its balance when running. It is also one of the few cats that can adapt to different environments. The leopard is mostly referred to as the Asian subspecies, while the African subspecies is often called the leopard.

Extended information:

1. Habitat

The leopard is highly adaptable and can survive in a wide variety of environments, including forests, scrublands, tropical rainforests, mountains, hills, plains, arid lands, wetlands, and even deserts. In China, leopards mainly live in forested mountains, while some live in hilly areas. Leopards in Northeast China can operate in snow at -30°C, while those in Southern China can also adapt to hot climates. Leopards in the Tibetan Plateau region generally live in mountainous areas at an altitude of 2,000 to 3,000 meters.

2. Living Habits

The leopard is aloof and solitary. Lurking in the trees or caves during the day, start to come out at dusk to roam until dawn when the party rest. In places where food is more abundant, the range of activities is more fixed. In the case of lack of food, often dozens of kilometers of movement. Leopards do not usually have a fixed den, and when resting they often climb to higher trees, choosing to crawl and lie on forked branches and horizontal trunks. Sometimes it also sleeps in the bushes or cliff caves. Although the leopard can swim, but it does not like the water, never to swim in the water.

3. Breeding

The mating period of the leopard is in winter and spring (December~May). At this time, males and females are looking for each other, and the mating period lasts for a few days or more than ten days, with males and females mating together more than ten times a day, each time for a very short period of time, only a few seconds. After the mating period, the males and females separate. If they do not conceive, the females will continue to come into heat for more than 20 days or a month to find a mate. The pregnancy lasts about 96 days (90~105 days) and the young are born from March to August.

The females look for rocky caves, rocks, fallen logs or grassy hollows for their nests before giving birth to their young, and the nests are very simple, just a gentle hollow with a little bit of hay and their own fallen hair. Each litter of 2 to 4 children, newborn cubs weighing 550 to 750 grams, the newborn cubs eyes closed, about 10 days or so to open their eyes. Mothers do not nurse for a long time, about 1 year cubs can leave the parent animal camp independent life. Young animals two or three years after sexual maturity. Life expectancy is 10 to 20 years.

Reference:Baidu Encyclopedia - Leopard