Smoky leopard - a formidable predator of the tropics

The smoky leopard does not belong to any species, so it can be distinguished into a special genus, which would occupy an intermediate position between large and small cats. This predator has the characteristics of both the first and second. On the one hand, looking at the impressive size of this handsome man, it is very difficult to attribute it to the genus of small cats, but on the other - he is the only one of all the big cats who can purr.

Despite its name, this predator does not have a direct relationship to real leopards. Smoky leopard has a body length of 60-100 cm, tail can reach 90 cm, body weight is from 20 to 30 kg. The predator has surprisingly short and thick paws with bare and hard calluses, allowing it to climb easily through trees. Also, the leopard has large canines, which gives the right to call it saber-toothed.

Thick wool of yellow, gray or dark brown color with bizarre patterns in the form of ovals, rosettes and circles allows to determine that it is a smoky leopard. The photos on which the animal is depicted on the tree are not uncommon, because they excellently climb the branches and from there they look out for their victims. The long tail helps to keep the leopards balanced.

Homeland of the smoky leopard can be considered South Asia.

This predator is found in southern China, Nepal, Sumatra, Sikkim, Kalimantan.

Smoky leopard lives in impassable thickets of tropical forests, near marshes and thickets of shrubs.

Birds, porcupines, goats, pigs, monkeys, cubs of buffaloes, deer are all that a wild cat prefers to hunt .

The leopard can attack both from the ground and from the branches. It is mainly a night predator, although in some cases it can hunt in the daytime.

One female may have one to five cubs. Pregnancy lasts about three months.

The female gives birth in a hollow of a tree, one kitten weighs about 250 g. Babies are born absolutely defenseless and blind, eyes open only after 10 days, they grow very slowly.

Initially, the kittens are covered only with gray or yellow fur, and by the first half of the year the first specks appear, as in an adult leopard.

Within five months they are fed with mother's milk, but from three months already can eat adult food.

Independence kittens are acquired in 9 months, then they can completely do without a mother. In conditions of maintenance, the reproduction of leopards occurs from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. Smoky leopard lives up to 17 years, but this is in conditions of detention. Life expectancy in the wild is unknown. Predators live alone, except for the breeding season.

Smoky leopards are very cautious and sensitive, try to avoid people, so it's so difficult to see them in the tropics. Thanks to the spotted color, they are perfectly camouflaged, like to spend time on trees where they rest on branches, basking in the sun. The leopard's body is very flexible, which allows them to move silently, stealthily creeping up to the victim, and make a long jump. They run very fast, so the victim has virtually no chance to escape persecution.