The colour of the leopard¿s coat is distinctive. It features rosette groupings of black spots against a buff background. The coat colour varies from pale yellow to deep gold or tawny and the animal¿s under surface is much paler, almost white. The head, lower limbs and belly are spotted with solid black. Coat colour and patterning are broadly associated with habitat type.

The groups of spots on the coat of the jaguar differ in having a central spot, whereas in the leopard they do not. Some leopards are completely black (sometimes called panthers), but this is a colour variety and should not be confused with the black jaguar which is a distinct species. When a black leopard mates with a spotted leopard about half the offspring will be spotted. Black leopards mating with black leopards produce all black young.

Weight

Males 38-90 kilograms.

Females 30-60 kilograms.

Height

The leopard stands 60-70 centimetres high to the shoulder.

Length

1.5-1.7 metres head to body.

Tail

70-100 centimetres.

Life Span

Up to 30 years.

Head

The leopard¿s skull is massive, which gives lots of room for attachment of its powerful jaws. Its whiskers are particularly long and its eyebrows often have several extra long hairs which protect the eyes and help the leopard when it moves through vegetation in darkness. The leopard¿s tongue has backward-facing projections which assist in picking up meat, licking scraps from bones and in grooming the fur. The ears are short and rounded and the eyes are large, an adaptation to the nocturnal habitat. Leopards are usually silent, but they can communicate with those of the same species with a rasping call.

Teeth

The incisors act as daggers. The premolars and molars shear like scissors.

Body

The spots on the coat help to camouflage the animal in a variety of habitats. The pattern of spots varies according to the animal, in fact, no two individuals appear to have the same pattern.

Front Limb

There are five digits with retractable claws. The first is small. Leopards walk on the other our digits. Elastic cushioned pads on the under surface of the digits are tough and granulated for slip protection. The ¿elbow¿ and ¿knee¿ joint is close to the body, while the ¿wrist¿ and ¿ankle¿ is the obvious joint in the middle of the leg.

Hind Limb

The hind limb is arranged so that the heel is held off the ground. This helps shift the centre of gravity forwards and increases the length of the leg. Both actions help to increase the speed and agility of the animal. The foot has four digits, the first is absent.