This big cat is often known to be shy, and elusive. However, it is the most wide spread of all the top predators. From the most remote places in Laikipia to the Nairobi National park, the leopard finds its home. A member of the 'big five' in the safari world, a leopard sighting is always breath taking.
Often mistaken as a 'spotted' cat, its fur is marked with rosettes. It is similar in physical appearance to the jaguar but it has smaller and lighter physique. Both leopards and jaguars can be melanistic and are called black panthers.
The leopards English name comes from old French that is derived from Latin. Its generic name, panthera pardus is Latin.
With an average lifespan of 12-17 years in the wild, a fully grown leopard can weigh up to 70 kilos. Their body size can vary, with the males being larger than the females. Often solitary, while on safari you can see two or more leopards together. After a gestation period of 2.5 months, a mother can give birth to 1 to 3 cubs. The cubs will stay with the mother for about 2 years before they venture out on their own. This is a powerful and versatile predator that uses camouflage and stealth to ambush prey. Leopards are agile and strong. They are more active at night and are good tree climbers. They are known to haul their prey up a tree after a successful hunt. Leopards can also ambush prey from the top of a tree.
Samburu and Maasai Mara national reserves are among the best places to see the leopards in Kenya.
Leopard sightings are never guaranteed while on safari, even in prime leopard country. I have spent hours on game drives searching for them with no luck, yet sometimes I would emerge from my tent in the morning to see fresh leopard tracks, or see one on my way back to my tent after dinner.
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| Leopard looking out. Maasai Mara |
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