Sunday Jukani animal Facts
Come back next week for more exciting fun facts from SAASA and Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary here on Lets Go Big Tunes blog pageThis post is sponsored by SAASA and Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
Fun Facts about Black Leopards
Black Leopard – fun facts
1 - In Africa, a "Black Leopard" is actually called a "melanistic leopard" by scientists and researchers. And while these black cats may look spotless, if you look closely at a black panther in clear light, the leopard rosette patterns can be seen. According to researchers, the genetic mutation that causes the dark colouring may be a beneficial evolutionary trait that improves a leopard’s ability to stay concealed during nocturnal hunts.
2 - Black leopards are seen infrequently in parts of Africa. The difference in colour is not indicative of a separate sub-species, but rather dominance of the dark-coloured pigment melanin in the skin, and is the opposite of albinism.
3 - Unlike many of their big cat cousins, all leopards are surprisingly strong swimmers. They actually enjoy swimming and this behaviour can come in handy given the different types of habitats that leopards need to flourish in to survive. The fact that they are such good swimmers is why they’re apt at hunting fish and crabs.
4 - They prefer to hunt in the night. It’s interesting to know that each leopard has its identified hunting territory. They mark it with their claws and urine. They don’t like invading the hunting range of others.
5 - Female leopards leave a unique scent and rub their body against the trees to leave her smell there as an indication that they are ready to mate.
6 - They have very long tails that help them to balance and make sharp turns.
7 - Leopards are renowned for their strength and can haul a carcass of at least their own weight up the vertical trunk of a tree. They have a tendency of dragging their food high up into a tree so that they can protect it from other animals. Interestingly they are the largest cats to climb trees regularly.
This massive strength means a big adult leopard is capable of killing prey up to the size of an eland - almost 10 times its own weight! Small prey such as mice, rats and small birds are swatted to death with a single paw strike.
8 - Some people have a weird belief that Leopard’s bones and whiskers can cure ill people. This is absolute nonsense.
9 - Leopards can hear five times more sounds than humans, even the ultrasonic squeaks made by mice.
10 - All leopard subspecies are either endangered or threatened. Sadly Leopard-skin coats were legal for many years and are still sold secretly. Many trees in leopard habitats have been cut down for building projects. And poachers are still killing leopards for their whiskers. In addition, because leopards’ prey on livestock, they are frequently poisoned by farmers trying to protect their animals.
This series of fun facts was proudly brought to you from SAASA and Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary here on Lets Go Big Tunes blog page