Habits:
Found throughout South Africa with concentrations in most National Parks, provincial reserves, protected and inaccessible areas. Also found in some private nature and game reserves. Common outside conservation areas and generally the only large predator that is often found close to human habitation. Leopards occur from high mountains to coastal areas – semi desert to water-rich riverine areas.
Mountainous areas, thick bush, along streams and rivers in riverine bush. Leopards are very adaptable and they even occur in dry and semi-desert areas like the Kalahari.Leopards are shy, secretive and cunning animals. They are solitary except when mating or females with cubs. They are mainly nocturnal and probably the most adaptable predator. Their food varies from small rodents to large antelope like Kudu and Waterbuck. In areas with predators they will hoist their prey into a tree to feed on it, while hiding it from other predators. Leopards are perfectly camouflaged and hunt by stalking, ambushing and then pouncing on their prey. In areas where there are many other large predators, Leopards usually take their prey up into trees to prevent it from being stolen by the other predators. They are very agile in trees and can also swim well. Leopards are known to be very powerful and when cornered or harassed can be extremely dangerous to humans.
Diet / Food and water:
Leopards are very opportunistic hunters and will feed on a wide variety of prey. Apart from insects, small rodents and large antelope, they will also hunt birds. Baboons, Warthog and Impala are their favourites. Depending on the area and availability of food, Leopards will also prey on dogs and domestic livestock. They are not water dependent in the sense that they do not have to drink water daily, but will drink daily when water is available.
Enemies:
Humans, Lion, Spotted Hyena, Wild dog, Nile Crocodile
Interesting Facts:
Leopard cubs are born blind and are incredibly vulnerable. They rely entirely on their mothers to survive. Their eyes begin to open around ten days old, and are bright blue during their first few months of life.
Leopards are as fast as a flash, clocking speeds of up to 60 km per hour. This is super fast – although the cheetah runs faster, of course. They are also great leapers, able to leap up to 6 meters horizontally and 3 meters vertically.
Reproduction:
Usually 2 to 3 are cubs born throughout the year.
Gestation period:
Gestation period about 3 months.
Day or night:
Prefer to spend their nights venturing out in search of food. They mostly spend their days resting in trees or in caves.
Mass:
Male – up to 100 kilograms.
Female – up to 65 kilograms
Lifespan:
About 18 years
Status:
1,688–6,979 mature individuals.
Resources:https://www.wildlifesouthafrica.com/blog/mammals-of-south-africa/lion-fact-file#:~:text=Lions%20used%20to%20occur%20throughout,Eastern%20parts%20of%20South%20Africa.