Leopards

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Leopards - Origin

Leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis orientalis) come from the Amur River valley on the border between Russia, China and North Korea. It is one of the most common small cats in Asia. In China, Leopard cats are called the money cats, as their spots resemble Chinese coins. There exist several varieties of Leopard cats, but two subspecies are the most common: the Asian and the Amur. Leopard cats are the ancestors of the Bengal housecat breed.

Leopards - Taxonomy

Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Prionailurus
Species: bengalensis.

Leopards - Distribution

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Leopard cats are widely spread from the tropical forests of Sumatra to the taiga of Manchuria and Siberia. They are found in 21 countries: Bali, Pakistan, India, Himalayas, Bangladesh, Burma and others. They inhabit jungles, mountainous areas up to 3,000 meters high, scrublands, woodland, and semi-deserts and sometimes are found in agricultural regions. They are tolerant to humans and often are seen near villages in semi-domesticated state. Natives will keep a Leopard cat with them as a rodent control agent.

Leopards - Habits

Leopard cats are nocturnal animals and are active at twilight. Like with all cats, their eye is adapted to low light. They are able to hear 5 times more than a human and their ears are attuned to the high pitch ultrasound made by rodents. They hunt both on the ground and on trees and also can swim very well. They have populated many offshore islands. Leopard cats are territorial animals and the male's range measures about 5-10 sq. km. Males mark their territory with feces and urine. To mask their traces and avoid drawing attention to them, adult animals defecate and urinate in water. Leopard cats make dens in rocky caves and hollow trees.