Hobbies And Interests
Leopards
Leopards are the smallest of the great cats, but also have the widest distribution. They are found throughout Africa and Asia. There are many subspecies of leopards, but the most common and widespread is the African leopard. Like jaguars, the leopard has spots. The jaguar's spots are arranged in a pattern of rosettes, while the leopard's coat has single spots. Leopards eat a wide variety of prey, from porcupines to baboons. They can also take the calves of larger herbivores, such as zebras. Leopards are extremely strong, and are known to hoist their kills up into trees, where they can eat in peace.
Snow Leopards
There is some debate about whether snow leopards belong to the genus Panthera with the tigers, lions, leopards and jaguars or whether they should have a genus of their own, Uncia. Snow leopards have a coat covered with dark spots. Snow leopards live in the mountains of Asia, and so the background of their coat is colored white. They are well adapted for their cold environment, with thick fur coats, short stocky legs and a long tail that protects their face when they curl up to sleep. Their nasal cavities are larger than other cats of their size, to warm the air that they breathe in. Snow leopards prey mainly on wild sheep and goats, but they will take smaller prey. They will also attack livestock, which brings them into conflict with humans that share their range.
Tigers
Tigers are the largest of all the cats. They inhabit Asia from India to Russia. There are nine known subspecies of tigers, but three of them are extinct. The preferred prey species of the tiger are boars, deer, and wild cattle. Tigers also occasionally kill people and are responsible for more deaths per year than any other cat. Tigers can eat up to 40 pounds of meat at a single meal and may eat off a single kill for a week, but only one out of 20 of their hunts is successful.
Lions
Like the leopard, lions live in Africa on the plains. Their primary diet is large herbivores such as zebras and wildebeests. The lion is the social oddball of the big cat world. It would be tough for a single lion to take down such large prey. All of the other big cats are solitary animals, but the lion lives in groups called prides. The female lions form the backbone of the group and do most of the hunting. Male lion cubs are ejected from the group at puberty and go off to take over a pride of their own. They help defend the pride territory from other lion prides, and from other male lions trying to take over the pride.