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Amur Leopard
Panthera pardus orientalis
Amur Leopards are a rare species of leopard whose wild habitat is the Amur River basin in Far East Russia. This region is the furthest north that any leopard species can be found in the wild. The solitary Amur Leopard is well adapted to this northern terrain.
Range & Habitat
In the Wild: Amur leopards are native to the diverse temperate forests of Southeastern Russia and Northeastern China.
At the Zoo: Zalie and Bob Linn Amur Leopard Woodland.
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Amur Leopards are the world’s most endangered big cats due to poaching and habitat loss. It is estimated that the current wild Amur leopard population is 60 to 80 individuals.
Diet
In the Wild: Deer, boar, badgers, hares, birds, mice
At the Zoo: Specialized meat diet enriched with vitamins and nutrients needed for a healthy diet. Leopards are also given humanely sourced rabbits, quail, rats and chicken to mimic their wild counterpart’s diet.
Life Span
In the Wild: 10-15 years
In Human Care: Up to 20 years.
In Human Care: Up to 20 years.
Fun Facts about the Amur Leopard
- Amur Leopards have long bushy tails. With an average length of just under 3 feet. In the winter, Amur Leopards will use their tail to keep warm, wrapping it around themselves like a blanket.
- Amur Leopards are excellent swimmers. They are one of the few cat species that love being in water.
- Amur Leopards can run at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour. They are also excellent climbers and will carry their prey up trees to consume it away from potential scavengers.
- Amur Leopards are solitary mammals and can have territories between 19-116 square miles. That is up to 56,000 football fields!
- The Amur Leopard population has doubled since 2007, thanks to conservation efforts!
Sources
World Wildlife, Amur Leopard, Facts. Retrieved August 15, 2018. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/amur-leopard
Our Endangered World, Amur Leopard. Retrieved August 15, 2018. http://www.ourendangeredworld.com/species/land-mammals/amur-leopard/
WCS Russia, Amur Leopard. Retrieved August 15, 2018. https://russia.wcs.org/en-us/Wildlife/Far-Eastern-Leopard.aspx
One Kind Planet, Amur Leopard. Retrieved August 15, 2018. https://onekindplanet.org/animal/leopard-amur/
Updated June 13, 2023
Location:
Social Animals
