The base color of the fur is a pale yellow to a rich brown. Large irregular-shaped blotches on its side give the cat its name. These blotches are edged with dark brown or black and are paler in the middle, with pale areas ringing the blotches. The neck and back are streaked with elongated dark brown or black spots. The head and legs are usually spotted. The tail is heavily furred and marked with broken black rings. Its eyes are yellow.

How big does this animal get?

Average body length is between two to three feet in length. The exceptionally long tail usually measures between two and a half to three feet.

When full grown how much does this animal weigh?

Adults weigh from 65 to 175 pounds. Males are larger than females.

Where does this animal live?

Habitat

Leopards prefer the deep tropical forest, jungles, and swampy areas away from human settlements.

What does this animal eat?

The leopard is a carnivore feeding on deer, cattle, goats, wild pigs, reptiles, birds, and monkeys.

Where does this animal get their food?

It hunts by day or night, either by stalking its prey on the ground or by ambushing it from the trees.

How long does this animal live?

The leopard's life span in the wild is unknown. It has lived for up to 17 years in captivity.

How does this animal move?

Fast/slow

Leopards are fast runners, good swimmers and excellent tree climbers.

The leopard is hunted for its striking pelt (it takes 20-30 cats to make one full-length fur coat) and for its teeth and bones.

The leopard is listed as an endangered species due to over hunting and deforestation.