Amur Leopard Natural History
Size
The Amur leopard weighs roughly 75kg and reaches lengths of 7ft including the tail.
Habitat and Distribution
These leopards are found in the far east of Russia up to the Chinese border inhabiting temperate, broadleaf and mixed forest habitats.
Age
They can live for 10- 15 years in the wild or for more than 20 years in captivity.
Diet
As obligate carnivores their diet is entirely made up of meat particularly of prey such as deer, boar and small mammals. They are well known as excellent climbers ambushing prey straight from the branches of trees where they will often lay-in-wait. However, they are capable of running down their prey too as they run at speeds of more than 30 miles an hour. They’re famous for carrying their prey up into trees to prevent other predators from being able to steal it.
Groups and Breeding
They, like most cats, are solitary animals preferring to keeping their own company. Several males may fight over a single female to breed with. After a successful mating females can give birth to litters typically consisting of 2-4 cubs.
Threats
Sadly, Amur Leopards are the most endangered cats in the world with only roughly 50- 100 individuals now remaining in the wild. Therefore, the IUCN classifies them as a Critically Endangered species. This is a result of being hunted for their beautiful coats by illegal wildlife traders as well as for their bones for use in traditional Chinese medicine. They are also affected by climate change and habitat loss which in turn causes a lack of prey for them which they have to compete for in first place with Amur tigers.
Interesting Facts
During the winter the Amur Leopard’s coat thickens by more than three times, from around 2 cm up to 7 cm.
The Amur Leopard During Your Day Out in Kent
We are home to a female Amur Leopard named Kaia. She previously called our sister park in Sandwich home but moved to WWP in 2023. She lives in the Little Himalaya area of the park opposite the Moon Bears. This used to be the Clouded Leopard enclosure, however they now live in our Nocturnal House.