ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - D - THE LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)

[peter]

1 - THE RELATION BETWEEN SIZE AND AGE IN KWAZULU-NATAL LEOPARDS


The table below clearly shows the differences between young adult males (4-6 years of age) and mature males (7 years and older). It also shows Kwazulu-Natal leopards, with mature males averaging about 160 pounds and almost 7.2 in total length (measured in a straight line), are large animals: 

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This is a Zululand male leopard:

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2 - REGION AND SIZE

Leopards in southwestern Asia are small, but Iran leopards, not that far away, most probably top the list for total length and greatest skull length. This male, recently poached, is both long and big-skulled:

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There is a strong relation between size and region, but it isn't clear why that is. Although most large leopards are seen in regions without lions and tigers (central and western parts of central Africa, Shri Lanka, Iran and some parts of southern Africa), Indian leopards, facing lions in Gir and tigers in most other parts of India, are by no means small animals. Same for Kwazulu-Natal leopards.


3 - PUMAS AND LEOPARDS

Although not sure about the averages of both cats at the level of species, the largest subspecies of both probably just about compare in most respects. Patagonian pumas could top the list for total length, but large leopard subspecies have a longer and more robust skull and compare in weight. One could say leopards, although slightly shorter, are a bit more robust and be close, but the margins are limited.

Not so in skulls. Reasons unknown, but leopard skulls, although smaller, compare to lion and tiger skulls for structure. Lions, tigers, jaguars and leopards are big cats, whereas pumas top the department of small cats. Skulls of large pumas only very seldom exceed 9 inches in greatest total length, whereas skulls of large male leopards often exceed 10 and even 11 inches. Puma and cheeta skulls are not that different. To roar or not, that is the question. Pumas scream, whereas leopards roar, or more accurately, saw.

When seeing both close to each other, the difference is striking. Pumas have shorter and smaller skulls, but they often are as tall and long or better. The longest I saw was a Patagonian female. She almost compared to the lioness nextdoor. Although leopards ooze strength and athleticism, pumas are not lacking in these departments.

The major difference between both is in behaviour. Although pumas attack and consume humans at times, they are beginners compared to leopards. The old male feasting on pilgrims in northern India a century ago had collected at least 125 scalps when he was shot by Jim Corbett. Compared to the Panar male leopard, who most probably exceeded 400 (...), he was a very modest eater of human beings. Trainers and keepers consider leopards as dangerous. Pumas, more withdrawn, only rarely cause problems. 

I'm not saying pumas don't stand a chance in an encounter. When talking to a trainer, I saw a Javan male leopard approach a Montana female puma. The Javan, by no means a small animal, only heard the blows he received. She was as fast as they come and the Javan male was even more surprised than those who watched the exchange. Based on what I saw, I'd say pumas seem a bit faster and more athletic. In strength, the difference seems to be very limited.

Robustness is important in an encounter, but only after a threshold is exceeded. Male jaguars exceeding, say, 180 pounds are very different from a leopard or puma of similar weight. They can lose a fight, but not their life. Not so the other way round. The reason is robustness, as it affects the ability to withstand damage.

Jaguar skulls often are more robust and heavier than leopard skulls of similar length. Skulls of large males not seldom exceed 1 kg. in weight, which is never seen in leopard skulls. If a jaguar gets a hold, he's able to deliver significant damage. If a leopard gets a hold, chances are the jaguar survives. Jaguars are skull biters, whereas leopards are neck or, more often, throat biters. When you try to throttle an animal participating in big neck competitions, this is not a good idea. 

He's a large jaguar. Watch the size of the neck:

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