Amur Leopard Animal of the Month Page

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO

New Amur leopard cubs at the Zoo! Amur Leopard
Presented By
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Auxiliary

Vernacular Name: Amur Leopard
Scientific Name: Panthera pardus orientalis
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Geographic Range: Siberia, Manchuria, Amur-Usssi region of Northern China & North Korea
Habitat: Boreal forests (Taiga) Baby Amur leopard cub outside in Asian Highlands.
Physical Characteristics:

Height: 18-31 inches at the shoulder.
Length: 3-6 ft. and tail 23-44 inches.
Weight: between 66 and 155 lbs. Males about 50% larger than females.
Background color: ranges from pale straw to grey and bright ocher to chestnut. Their hair tends to lighten in winter.The under parts are white. It is longhaired and most of the body is covered with dark spots. The head, throat and chest are marked with small spots and the belly with large blotches.

Adaptations:

Amur leopards are almost entirely solitary. Carries prey up trees like most leopards to avoid having prey taken by larger predators. Can run over 36 mph and leap 19 feet horizontally and over 10 feet vertically. Climbs well and can descend head first. Strong swimmer, but not fond of water. Vision and hearing are acute, with better sense of smell than the tiger.
Secondary consumer (carnivore).
Usually nocturnal.
Mating season is usually in January and February.
Gestation period of 95-105 days.
Up to three altricial cubs.
Cubs weigh 15-20 ounces at birth.
Young stay with their mother 1 1/2-2 years

Predator/Prey Relationship:

Chief predator is man hunting them for their fur.

Amur leopards prey on antelope, ibex, bush hyrax, alpine hare, deer and wild sheep.

Conservation:

Highly endangered in the wild.

Other information:

Longevity: captive – 20 years, wild – up to 12 years

Zoo Diet: Processed meat based diet.

Location at Zoo: Asian Highlands.

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4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Phone(719)633-9925 Fax (719)633-2254