Even though the Arabian leopard is the largest cat on the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, it is still smaller than the African and Persian leopards. These elusive cats prefer mountainous uplands and hilly steppes. Due to habitat loss, poaching for their fur, hunting, collecting, and climate change these leopards are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. It is estimated that there are less than around 200 remaining in the wild today.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Panthera pardus nimr
Weight: Up to 200 lbs.
Length: Up to 6.6 feet, plus a 3.5 foot tail.
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They are so elusive that images of them are typically only captured via camera traps.
2.) Arabian leopards are mostly nocturnal (active at night) during warmer months and diurnal (active during the day) during colder months.
3.) Arabian gazelles, Cape hares, Nubian ibex, rock hyrax, Ethiopian hedgehogs, porcupines, small rodents, birds, and insects make up most of their diet.
4.) Like most big cats, they are solitary, sans mating season, where males and females can be seen together for very brief times.
5.) Their only predators are humans.
But wait, there’s more on the Arabian leopard!
6.) With such a small, fragmented population inbreeding is a threat that could end in lower numbers and sickly offspring.
7.) Reintroduction of captive bred specimens has been met with adversity. As ranchers fear that increased numbers will end up resulting in more deaths to their cattle and other farm animals.
Did you know…?
These leopards have the ability to jump up to 20 feet! They are also agile climbers, as they live among steep rocky hillsides.
8.) Females birth 1 – 4 cubs after a 100 day gestation (pregnancy).
Now a Short Arabian Leopard Video!
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