File:Leopard sleeping on rock - DPLA - 87cd65db2707f28dedc4c6ffd2f4a902.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Carnivora; Family: Felidae; Genus: Panthera; Genus species: Panthera pardus. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 104-190 cm; Weight: 28-90 kg; Identification: The coat color of the leopard may range from pale cream to tawny brown. Black or brown rosettes are found on the back and upper limbs, turning into solid spots on the face, lower limbs, and undersides; Habitat: Areas with heavy vegetation for cover; Diet: Carnivore: opportunistic, small to medium-sized mammals, birds; hunt by stalking or laying an ambush; Reproduction: Female leopards raise their offspring alone. After a gestation period of 90-112 days, the mother may give birth to up to six cubs in a cave, burrow, or dense thicket. The young are gradually weaned onto meat at three months and won't leave their mother until 1.5-2 years of age; Social Structure: Leopards are extremely solitary cats, coming together only for mating. They communicate via feces, urine, and scratch marks on trees. They also make loud vocalizations. Male and female home ranges often overlap; Behavior: Most hunting is done during the night. They will often drag a kill into a tree so it can't be taken from them by larger predators (lions, hyenas, etc.); Status: Endangered: habitat loss, hunted because they kill livestock or for their skins; they have completely disappeared from some regions; Interesting Facts: Contrary to what some people believe, leopards and jaguars are different species. Jaguars are stockier than leopards and have spots in the middle of the rosettes on their coats.