© Copyright 2009, all rights reserved. Leopard
Typically, a leopard litter consists of two to three cubs but, sometimes, up to six. At birth, the leopard cubs are born with their eyes closed and without hearing. They weigh about 1 to 2 pound (0.45 to 0.9 kg). Their bodies are covered with faintly spotted smoky gray furs.
The mother leopard has to stay at the den all the time during the first few days after the birth to take a rest and to nurse and care the newborn cubs. She licks the cubs with her rough tongue to increase their blood circulation. She tries to keep her cubs warm. Meanwhile, newborn leopards spend most of their time sleeping and nursing on their mother’s milk.
In order to continue producing milk, the mother leopard needs to feed herself. She has to leave the helpless newborn babies to hunt only a few days after the delivery. The newborn leopards can open their eyes about seven to ten days after the birth and they can walk steadily in about two weeks.
Newborn Leopard
