African Savanna Leopard: Underrated Big Cat?

[Styx38]

(10-05-2019, 11:15 AM)Luipaard Wrote: I don't think they're being underestimated. It's just that they serve a different role in the ecosystem compared to other populations/subspecies where they've evolved as an apex predator.

They'll usually avoid larger prey since it requires much energy and the risk of losing the kill is high, resulting in energy wasted. That's why they focus on impala's which are easier to subdue (and easier to lift up a tree, away from scavengers).

However, that first part you quoted is of course false:

Quote:i'ts not that I'm saying a leopard can't kill a zebra or wildebeest, but I don't think it can ever happen.

They can and it did happen more than once. For example, here's Tingana back when he was in his prime with an adult blue wildebeest he took down all by himself:

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

And here's a leopard with a freshly killed kudu, looks full grown

*This image is copyright of its original author

 
1. Nope. They are straight up denying or dismissing the Leopard's capability. That's why I posted wikipedia and forum posts.

2. That's a Kudu cow or subadult.

Wikipedia mentions that they are unable to take down Kudu bulls

Anyway, Leopards killing Kudu Bulls:

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Leopard killing a Bull Kudu in the Sabi Sands

Female kills two adult bulls.

"A small female whose contribution to the leopard populations of Londolozi and the surrounding areas is as enduring as her will to survive.  Independent from 10 months of age, she has come full circle and mastered the environment which is now her territory.  Her mastery extends from survival to territorial defence to hunting.  So efficient is her hunting ability that she was recently able to bring down two Kudu bulls in rapid succession."


https://blog.londolozi.com/2010/09/20/maxabeni-brothers-chased-off-kudu-kill/

@Luipaard @Shadow

Again, there is a huge difference between animal focusing mostly on small prey with occasional big kills vs. the animal not being able to pull out.

As I posted, wikipedia is going with the latter opinion

From Wikipedia:

Quote: Wrote:Although cheetahs and leopards also prey on greater kudus, they are unable to bring down a bull, and consequently target the more vulnerable cows and offspring. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_kudu

Quote: Wrote:Though leopards do not usually feed on equids as in Africa, this may be because Persian leopards are larger and strong enough to prey on Asiatic wild asses.[9][10]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onager

^ Both these statements make it sound like the Leopard of Africa is weak. 

Pay attention to choice of words like "unable" or "Persian is large and strong enough"(like the Savanna version is too weak). Reply