The AMUR LEOPARD (Scientific name: Panthera pardus orientalis), also known as the Far Eastern leopard, is a big cat that inhabits parts of southeastern Rusia (Primorye Krai) and northeastern China (Jilin and Heilongjian). A few leopards have also been reported in northern Korea.
The cat is listed as CRITICALLY ENDANGERED on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Currently, there are less than 35 Amur leopards still living in the wild. The Amur leopard is one of the most endangered wild cats on the planet.
The Amur leopard lives father north than any other leopard and is the only leopard subspecies that has adapted to a cold climate. Its fur is thick and soft and overall the coat is a pale colour, which helps the cat hide in the snow.
Amur leopards are relatively small in size. Males range from 42 to 54 inches, with a rail length o 21 to 35 inches. They weigh between 70 and 100 lbs. Females are smaller weighing between 50 and 95 lbs. The cat's coat ranges in colour from various shades of yellow to gold and is covered in spots. The leopard's fur is usually much lighter during the winter months.
These leopards maintain individual territories approximately 20 to 120 miles in size, usually in a river basin. They generally live between 10 to 15 years although they can live up to 20 years in captivity. Their prey consists of musk deer, roe deer, moose, wild pig, Manchurian wapiti (elk), hare, badger, fowl, mice and at times, young black bears. They usually hunt at night.
Female leopards start breeding between 3-4 years of age and have between one to four cubs during the spring or early summer. Most recently, the average size of a litter has only been two cubs. The young cats leave their mothers within 1 to 1.5 years.
The serious decline of the Amur leopard population is the result of poaching, deforestation and loss of habitat due to fires. Another key conservation concern is inbreeding of the remaining cats. The zoo population of Amur leopards is believed to be approximately 176.
I found this information on bigcatswildcats.com where you can watch a video about the conservation of these beautiful creatures.
Snow leopards have also adapted to a cold climate. And are also endangered - though I don't think critically (yet).
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful animals. And the pelts look better on them than on any human - or floor.
I am looking forward to this series of posts Mimsie - thank you.
Thanks EC and I will do my best to continue with some interesting stories of the big cats.
DeleteI think all animal pelts only look good in the animals they were designed for.
There are so many animals on the endangered list and I am sure I am going to find them as I go through this series.
Leopards have the most beautiful coats, don't they? So bold and striking. And Sue's right. It's a sin to turn those beautiful coats into ... people coats.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit Susan and as you and Sue said, why should people want to murder animals so they can wear their fur. I've never understood how human beings can be so arrogant and cruel.
DeleteA beautiful animal and a very interesting post. Thank you Mimsie, I enjoyed reading this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise, glad you enjoyed this post and hope future ones will also be interesting.
DeleteThank you so much for popping in.
I love the big cats, all of them. I wonder is the Amur leopard the one known as the Snow Leopard? Because it has adapted to the cold regions.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame there are only 35 left in the wild. I hope those numbers increase and poachers suddenly get a conscience.
I am pretty sure the Snow Leopard is a different species if not by much. I will come across the Snow Leopard as I go through the list and we will probably learn then if there is a difference.
DeleteFrom the posters I included at the bottom of the post it would seem there are many folk doing their best to preserve this beautiful creature.
Beautiful...I love their big square heads.
ReplyDeleteThanks Delores...they truly are.
DeletePerhaps that is why they appealed so much to me...remind me of those square dogs I'm always talking about.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful new series to anticipate from our favourite A-Z blogpal!!
These really do have an oriental look about them and it emphasizes the role which zoos can now truly take... I had not heard of this little beauty, so thank you once again Mimsie for raising awareness!! YAM xx
I'd not heard of this particular big cat either Yam and was happy to be able to share its story with everyone.
ReplyDeleteYes, zoos and similar places play such a huge role in trying to avoid the extinction of so much wild life around the world these days. They need lots of support.
I am not doing A-Z but more just as they come along and If feel the need to 'talk' about them.
Again, thank you for paying me a visit from the other side of the world. xx