Leopard Predation Thread

[Styx38]

Leopard predation of river animals:


In one study, Leopards predated on African Sharptooth Catfish due to low abundance of ungulates in the dry season.

"The differences in the number of catfish preyed upon between seasons is the most noticeable (Dry: 94.6%, Wet: 5.4%). 

 Although impala were the preferred ungulate species in the dry season, 50% of the Savute leopard’s diet comprised of catfish, with over 94% of observations occurring in the dry season (Table 9). This could - 24 - be a consequence of the relative availability of impala decreasing by 37% from the wet season to the dry (Table 5). Hayward et al. (2006a) suggested that the variable body mass of leopards may allow it to survive short-term on invertebrates or small vertebrates when preferred prey is absent. This appears true for Savute’s leopards, switching to fishing to sustain themselves through the dry season. This is the first documentation of continued fishing by leopards across a number of years. Investigating whether this is exclusive to Savute and the potential drivers of this predation, such as declines in herbivores, are crucial in understanding predator adaptability and any changes in ecosystem state "

source: Harvey, Lorna. Using Alternative Long-term Data to Help Monitor and Manage Wildlife Populations in Savute, Botswana. Predator-prey Preference as an Example. Diss. Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park, Imperial College London, 2016.


Here is a Leopard eating a fish (not exactly sure which species) in the same place of the study known as Chobe National Park.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

"A leopard (Panthera pardus) eating a fish that it caught in the Savuti marsh, Chobe National Park, Botswana, Africa"


https://www.jamitarris.com/image/I0000nSKLs5epzGc



Leopard with Otter kill in Moremi. It may be a spotted-necked otter killed by the Leopard.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

"Completely soaked female leopard (panthera pardus) with otter kill in Moremi National Park (Khwai), Botswana"

https://www.alamy.com/completely-soaked-...83580.html Reply