Leopards (Panthera pardus), one in all 5 giant cat genera within the Panthera group, which incorporates tigers, lions and jaguars. These lovely carnivores have been the topic of flicks, legends, and folktales, and are frequent to be saved as pets. There are 9 official subspecies in addition to totally different leopard subspecies. Leopards are thought-about endangered or critically endangered of their habitat that features elements of Africa and Asia. The essential shade of the leopard’s coat is cream yellow on the stomach and orange-brown on the again. The leopard has flat black spots on its limbs and head. These spots tackle golden or darkish brown round patterns within the middle. These spots are most distinguished on the again and flanks of the jaguar.
The spots on the leopard’s neck, stomach and limbs are smaller and don’t change into mottled. The leopard’s tail has irregular patterns within the type of darkish rings on the tip of its tail. Leopards are available in quite a lot of colours and patterns. Like many cat breeds, leopards with giant quantities of a darkish pigment referred to as melanin can have melanism, a genetic mutation. Melanistic leopards are also called black leopards. These leopards had been as soon as regarded as a separate species from non-melanistic leopards. Nevertheless, upon nearer examination, it was decided that their spots weren’t seen on account of their black pores and skin. Leopards dwelling in desert areas are paler in shade than these dwelling in grasslands. Leopards dwelling in grasslands are nearer to golden in shade.
