AMUR LEOPARD

Panthera pardus orientalis

INTERESTING FACTS

Amur leopard (also known as the Manchurian leopard, Korean leopard, and the Far East leopard) are unique big cats found in small pockets in mainly Russia. Amur leopard shows the strongest divergence in coat pattern among all subspecies. The paler coat, thick black rings, and longer fur of the Amur leopard make it distinct from other subspecies. Their fur is longer than that of their African counterparts in order to keep them warm in the cold climates where they live. They have large incomplete spots called “rosettes” that help them to blend into their environment for hunting. They are apt climbers and jumpers and have been known to jump up to 3 meters vertically and 6 meters horizontally and can run at speeds up to 60 km per hour. Amur leopards are also one of the only big cat species that likes to swim and is very good at it! 

CONSERVATION MESSAGE

Believe it or not, there are less than 100 individuals left in the wild. This is one of the rarest cats on earth, and due to poaching, habitat destruction, and the exotic pet trade, this might soon become an extinct species. If you would like to help wild Amur leopard, please consider donating to the organizations that have projects ongoing all over the world helping endangered animals like this. Make sure to not participate in the exotic pet trade and watch which products you buy in the store to ensure they are animal and environmentally friendly.