Hobbies And Interests
Leopards
Leopards are the only big cats that live in both desert and rainforest habitats. They prefer to hunt at night. They are also good climbers and sometimes they carry their kill into trees to feed and protect it from scavengers. They live a solitary life. The males weigh between 80 and 150 pounds, while the females weigh between 62 and 100 pounds. People hunt them for their hides. They are also threatened by habitat loss to farming, as well as by farmers who shoot them to protect livestock. Leopards are not considered endangered, but their populations are dwindling. They live in Africa, Asia and parts of the Middle East.
African Lions
African lions are the only big cats to live in social groups, called "prides." The females of the pride are related. The female cubs remain with the pride. The male offspring will leave, eventually fighting with other males for control of a different pride. Males defend the pride's territory, and the females do the hunting. The males have large manes of long hair around their heads. Lions weigh between 265 and 420 pounds. Lions are not fast like leopards, so they generally hunt in teams. Their free range has been reduced to sub-Saharan Africa.
Snow Leopards
Snow leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia. People hunt them for their warm, pretty fur, and the Chinese covet their organs for medicinal purposes. These animals are on the endangered species list. In addition to hunting pressure, their numbers are declining due to habitat destruction. They are great leapers and can jump as far as 50 feet. They weigh between 60 and 120 pounds, and can kill prey three times their size. A snow leopard's tail is almost three feet long, and it helps them balance as they run up the sides of steep mountains. They also wrap their tails around themselves to stay warm while sleeping.
Jaguars
Jaguars also have spotted coats. Their range currently is limited to South and Central America, but they once ranged up through Mexico. They are not listed as endangered, but their numbers are threatened. They are hunted for their fur, and farmers also hunt them to protect livestock. Jaguars prefer to live solitary lives, but cubs may live with the mother for up to two years. Litters consist of 2 to 4 cubs. They are the only big cats that don't mind water, and they sometimes hunt in the water for fish, turtles and caimans. They also like to hunt from trees, dropping on their prey from above.