Mating Behaviour - Data, Videos and Pics

[Tshokwane]

Info by Shaaz Jung. Pic credits to Sandeep Kumar.

Photographed in Kabini during the monsoon, Sandeep was quick to adapt to the changing light and used his technical ability to grab this magnificent backlit image of the pair. Kabini is known for its fabulous density of of leopards. Their successful coexistence with the tigers and dholes are largely due to the habitat and its trees. Teak trees are a leopards favourite. It's giant leaves shield the elusive cat from the monsoon rain and keeps them hidden from other animals. These trees often offer beautiful bent branches which allow a leopard to comfortably laze for hours undisturbed. The teak is also large enough to hold the weight of a leopard, their family and their prey. What we liked most about Sandeep's image was how the tree split into two and supported them. Each leopard had their own branch as they created life in a rare ray of monsoon sun. The backlit leaves, the dust falling of the bark and two beautifully lit leopards on Kabini's most important tree, made this a winner.

*This image is copyright of its original author

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