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Panthera pardus


Panthera pardus
Photo Information
Copyright: Ferran J Lloret (ferranjlloret) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 791 W: 53 N: 2113] (10340)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 30 D, Canon EF 100-400 mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Mammals of Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-12-28 6:21
Viewed: 6689
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the four 'big cats' of the genus Panthera. Originally, it was thought that a leopard was a hybrid between a lion and a panther, and the leopard's common name derives from this belief; leo is the Greek and Latin word for lion (Greek leon, λέων) and pard is an old term meaning panther. In fact, a "panther" can be any of several species of large felid. In North America, panther means puma and in South America a panther is a jaguar. Elsewhere in the world a panther is a leopard. Early naturalists distinguished between leopards and panthers not by colour (a common misconception), but by the length of the tail - panthers having longer tails than leopards.

The big cats, especially the spotted cats, are easy to confuse for those who see them in captivity or in photographs. The leopard is closely related to, and appears very similar to, the jaguar; it is less often confused with the cheetah. The ranges, habitats, and activities of the three cats make them easy to distinguish in the wild.
Since wild leopards live only in Africa and Asia while wild jaguars live only in the Americas, there is no possibility of confusing them in the wild. There are also visual markings that set them apart. Leopards do not have the spots within the rosettes that jaguars always have, and the jaguar's spots are larger than the leopard's (see the photographs in jaguar). The Amur leopard and the North Chinese leopard are occasional exceptions. The leopard is smaller and less stocky than the jaguar, although it is more heavyset than the cheetah.
Besides appearance, the leopard and jaguar have similar behavior patterns. Jaguars can adapt to a range of habitats from rainforest to ranchlands while leopards are even more adaptable ranging in from deserts and mountains, savanna and woodlands.
Although it is not unusual for a leopard to be mistaken for a cheetah due to their frequently overlapping ranges, they can actually be easily distinguished. The leopard is heavier, stockier, has a larger head in proportion to its body, and has rosettes rather than spots. It also lacks the ring pattern that marks the end of the cheetah's tail and the black, "tear-drop" markings that run from the inner corners of the cheetah's eyes to the corners of its mouth. Additionally, cheetahs run much faster than leopards do and do not climb trees, except while they are cubs, whereas leopards are excellent climbers. Also, leopards are more active at night (nocturnal), whereas cheetahs are usually diurnal.

Information source

IUCN information

Photographed in dry grassland of the Nakuru Lake National Reserve
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Critiques [Translate]

belle bête mais manque un peu de luminosité, pas mal quand même
bon BG
bravo et merci du partage
edith

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2006-12-28 7:16]

Hello Ferran,
Great capture of this leopard showing that his spots are not always an aid to disruptive pattern camouflage.
On the contrary, your shot shows him very clearly against the grass in a well-composed and well presented shot.
TFS, regards, Ivan

Hi Ferran,

Very nice picture you took of this leopard. I like the composition and mood of the picture. Wonderful setting. Well done.

Jan-Hendrik

nice pic, great background, TFS ori

Hi Ferran
I do like your image.
No critiques.
Good isolation of the 'walking' leopard.
Wonderful animal...
TFS
Annick

Hi, Ferran, always a special moment!!!
Cheers, Luís.

Una toma muy correcta desde todos los puntos de vista, pero lo mejor es que la pudiste captar. Ya que según tengo entendido no es muy fácil pillar a los Leopardos.
Un saludo

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2009-01-05 1:54]

Hi Ferran,
your Kenyan experience must be excellent. your shots are superbs. this one is really beautiful. the leopard is such a wonderful thing, in colurss, patterns and you gave a sharp shot. Beautiful.
The grasses is very catchy making this one very very natural and real.
Very brilliant composition.

regards,
Foozi

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