Mighty leopard stops to have a big drink at watering hole

11 months ago
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Leopards are huge, muscular cats that inhabit many of the grasslands and forests in Africa. They are powerful animals that can prey on ungulates many times their size. Known to take down young giraffes, antelopes, and even fully grown elands, the leopard is highly adaptable to take advantage of available prey. When larger food is unavailable, they will feed on hares and dung beetles. Occasionally, primates and porcupines are consumed by the leopard. During studies, evidence of gorilla consumption was found in leopard scat, although this would be rare due to the ferocity of adult gorillas.
Leopards are known for caching food in trees, high off the ground. They are capable of hoisting a carcass that is several times their own body weight. This takes an impressive amount of strength to accomplish. Leopards are swift and formidable hunters, but during observation, it was learned that the majority of hunt attempts are unsuccessful. Leopards often go 1-2 weeks between successful kills.
Leopards are vulnerable due to habitat loss and competition with farmers, as well as persecution for their perceived and actual threats to livestock. As human populations increase and development progresses, competition between man and nature will increase the conflict.

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