© Copyright 2009, all rights reserved. Leopard
Young Leopard Watching
Leopards can adapt to a wide variety of habitats. They have been found in woodlands, forests, marshlands, swamps, savannahs, jungles, rainforests, mountains, and deserts. Some even live close to towns and cities.
Many leopards live in rainforests where the rain falls day after day. Others live in dry areas such as savannas or deserts where they can go a long time without drinking water. They get the water they need from the food they eat. They roam from sea level to mountains as high as 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level. They always choose habitats that provide plenty of food and shelter, but woodlands and forests, where there is thick vegetation, are their favorites.
One of the reasons that leopards are able to live in such a variety of habitats is that they can adapt to a variety of diet. Their food includes various species of mammals, reptiles, and birds, all of which live in different habitats. If they have to, leopards are also able to live in human-populated areas more effectively than any other big cats.
The colors of their coats are adaptable to different habitats. The adaptation of the leopard’s coat color to its surroundings has evolved through many generations; for example, the leopard’s spotted coat provides excellent camouflage in daylight as well as at night in the forests. Such camouflage helps them become superior hunters in many habitats.
next => Leopard Location => Leopard Territory
Many leopards live in rainforests where the rain falls day after day. Others live in dry areas such as savannas or deserts where they can go a long time without drinking water. They get the water they need from the food they eat. They roam from sea level to mountains as high as 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level. They always choose habitats that provide plenty of food and shelter, but woodlands and forests, where there is thick vegetation, are their favorites.
One of the reasons that leopards are able to live in such a variety of habitats is that they can adapt to a variety of diet. Their food includes various species of mammals, reptiles, and birds, all of which live in different habitats. If they have to, leopards are also able to live in human-populated areas more effectively than any other big cats.
The colors of their coats are adaptable to different habitats. The adaptation of the leopard’s coat color to its surroundings has evolved through many generations; for example, the leopard’s spotted coat provides excellent camouflage in daylight as well as at night in the forests. Such camouflage helps them become superior hunters in many habitats.
next => Leopard Location => Leopard Territory
