The common leopard is notable as the most widespread and abundant species among the Panthera genus. Renowned for their adaptability, these leopards demonstrate an impressive capacity to thrive in different climates and environments. Classified as a large-sized cat, males typically weigh around 58 kg on average, while females average around 37.5 kg. Their adeptness at camouflage enables them to expertly blend into various environments, including busy urban areas.
Within the trophic pyramid, leopards hold a position following tigers and lions, sharing a comparable level with dholes in the hierarchy of predators.
Renowned for their adaptability, leopards exhibit a versatile nature, thriving in almost every conceivable habitat, ranging from tropical rainforests to arid deserts and temperate regions. They hold significant roles as primary predators in the majority of forested landscapes across India, coexisting with tigers, lions, and dholes. Unlike some other large carnivores, leopards display considerable adaptability concerning their habitat requirements and dietary needs. They can be found in agro-pastoral landscapes, plantations, and in close proximity to human settlements.
The Origin of Leopard
Nine distinct subspecies of leopards have been identified, and they are dispersed throughout Africa and Asia. Across this broad geographical range, each subspecies exhibits some variation in appearance and biology. However, they all share the hallmark of an exquisitely beautiful black-spotted coat, along with supreme stealth and an elusive nature.
Historically, the leopard’s habitat encompassed nearly 35,000,000 square kilometers, spanning sub-Saharan North, Central, and South Africa, the Middle East, Asia Minor, South and Southeast Asia. Their territory extended into the Amur Valley in the Russian Far East, including island ranges such as Sri Lanka, Java, Zanzibar, and Kangean.
In contrast to tigers that migrated into India from the East (Malayan realm), leopards, akin to lions, originated in the Ethiopian realm. They entered India through the Western corridor much earlier than lions and tigers did.
Distribution of Leopard
The Indian subspecies of leopard, Panthera pardus fusca, inhabits various habitats across India, being notably absent only in the arid Thar desert and the Sundarban mangroves. These leopards are found in diverse landscapes, including the Himalayas, where they sometimes coexist with snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and have been sighted at elevations as high as 5,200 meters. They play a significant role as apex predators in many of India’s forested regions and coexist alongside tigers, lions, and dholes.
In the National tiger estimation exercise conducted in 2018, the leopard population was also estimated within the forested habitats of states occupied by tigers. It’s important to note that this estimation only covered areas where leopards were known to occur within tiger-occupied states, and did not include other leopard-inhabited regions. Thus, the estimated leopard population represents the minimum count within these specific landscapes. According to this estimation, the overall leopard population within India’s tiger-inhabited landscapes was calculated at 12,852, marking a notable increase of 63% from the previous count conducted in 2014.
Melanism in Leopard
Melanism, a prevalent phenomenon among leopards, results in the entire animal’s skin being black in color, including its spots. A melanistic leopard is often referred to as a black panther or jaguar, leading to misconceptions about it being a distinct species. Melanistic leopards are commonly found in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the tropical evergreen and deciduous forests of North East India and the Western Ghats in South India. More recently, a few instances of melanistic leopards have also been reported in the Central Indian forests of Pench and Tadoba.
For those interested in observing these melanistic leopards, the prime locations include Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Tadoba Tiger Reserve, and Pench Tiger Reserve. These reserves offer relatively better opportunities to spot these unique variants of leopards.
The Ecology of the leopard:
Limited Research:
There is very limited research on leopards despite their status as one of the least studied large felids. Over the past two decades, this gap in understanding has seen minimal attention. The majority of research on leopard behavior and ecology has predominantly focused on African populations. In the Indian subcontinent, our knowledge about leopards largely stems from specific site-based studies that emphasize their coexistence with other top predators.
The hunter:
As a nocturnal creature, leopards primarily hunt during the night. Their diet consists of smaller herbivores within their habitat range, such as the chital, hog deer, and wild boar. They are known for scavenging feral dogs in forested areas. Highly nimble, they tend to spend most of their resting periods atop trees, using the ground mainly for relocation rather than for resting or napping. Leopards are also recognized for hoisting their prey onto trees, a behavior particularly common among those sharing their habitat with larger cats like tigers in India.
Breeding:
In terms of mating, leopards generally breed throughout the year, giving birth to litters comprising two to three cubs after a gestation period lasting 90 to 105 days. The female selects a secluded and well-concealed area within the forest for delivery, where the cubs remain hidden for around six to eight weeks before they are prepared to follow their mother. They stay with the mother for an additional two years, during which they learn hunting techniques by observing and trailing her.
City leopards:
Leopards stand out as the sole big cat species capable of thriving in areas heavily dominated by humans. Their status as an ecologically generalist species allows them to thrive without requiring specific habitats or prey preferences. In instances where larger prey is scarce, they are adaptable enough to feed on smaller mammals and even birds. The spotted pattern on their fur enables them to blend seamlessly into diverse surroundings, providing excellent camouflage.
In India, leopards have been reported to inhabit metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Gurugram, Shimla, and Delhi. This adaptability showcases their ability to coexist in human-populated areas, a characteristic not commonly observed among other big cat species.
Perfect Climber:
Leopards possess exceptional climbing abilities, a valuable trait that aids in their survival within territories inhabited by tigers and lions. When they sense danger, they rely on the strategy of climbing trees, offering them a safe refuge. As sympatric carnivores, they face considerable competition from other larger felines for resources. Due to their smaller size, they harbor fear towards tigers and lions, prompting them to seek refuge by ascending trees. Additionally, after making a kill, leopards often hoist the prey onto a tree to prevent other predators from seizing it. If the kill happens to be heavy, they may first remove the rumen portion of the carcass before transporting it up the tree for safety.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the common leopard emerges as a highly adaptable and widely distributed species across India, showcasing remarkable versatility in its ability to thrive in diverse habitats and climates. Its presence spans from bustling urban environments to forested landscapes, showcasing a unique capacity to coexist with human populations. As a master of camouflage and possessing exceptional climbing skills, the leopard navigates its environment adeptly, utilizing trees both for refuge and to protect its kills from other predators. Positioned as a significant predator in India’s ecological landscape, the common leopard plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems alongside other apex predators like tigers, lions, and dholes. Understanding and safeguarding the distribution and ecology of this fascinating species remain paramount for its conservation and the preservation of India’s rich biodiversity.