Amur Leopard

scientific name

Panthera pardus orientalis

size/weight/height

Weight: males 82-198 lbs.; females 62-132 lbs.

characteristics

Color: reddish-yellow in summer; lighter in winter w spots are widely spaced rosettes with thick borders
Body: long legs and hair help to survive in snowy conditions

behavior

solitary (marks territory w/ urine) w nocturnal
Feeding: eats alone, will hide food for later w good climber w strong swimmer w great jumper (20' horizontally & 10' vertically) water
Territory: large; 30 sq. mi.

reproduction/lifespan

Lifespan: captivity 23 yrs. w Sexual Maturity: ~3 yrs.
Breeding Season: Jan.-Feb.
Gestation: 90-105 days
Cubs: 1-6 w cubs open their eyes ~ 10 days w weaned at ~3 mo. w leave mother at 18-24 mos.

diet

Carnivore
Wild: roe deer, wild boar, roe deer, sika deer, musk deer and hares
Zoo: carnivore diet, bones, vitamins, enrichment treats

habitat/range

rocky mountain woodlands w SE Russia, N. Korea, Manchuria Amur river valley (currently only in a small area on the Russia/China border)
range overlaps Siberian Tiger

status

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (less than 50 in the wild) w US Endangered w CITES App. I w studbook participant w Felid TAG w due to habitat loss (major factor) and encroachment of civilization w poaching is also a concern

NOTE

farthest north of all leopard subspecies w since Amur leopards share the range of Siberian Tigers, efforts to save tigers will also protect leopards

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