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What are the Different Types of Leopard Species?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

The leopard is the smallest of the big cats, known for its beautiful spotted pattern. Leopards live throughout Asia and Africa, though numbers have been dropping since the beginning of the 20th century due to habitat encroachment. Though there is technically only one leopard species, called Panthera pardus, there are many different subspecies of leopards, each with its own fascinating habits, behavior, and home.

The African leopard species is one of the most variable, dwelling in arid deserts, vast savannahs, and even mountains. Common throughout central Africa, this leopard species has the unique ability of being able to drag carcasses many times the leopard's size into trees. An opportunistic hunter, the African leopard will eat just about anything, from insects and birds to giant wildebeests and livestock.

All leopards are classified under the species Panthera pardus, however these arboreal predators can be divided into several subspecies.
All leopards are classified under the species Panthera pardus, however these arboreal predators can be divided into several subspecies.

Unable to match their African cousins' success, the Amur leopard is a severely endangered leopard species endemic to north Asia. According the the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), their may be less than 30 wild Amur leopards left at the dawn of the 21st century. Loss of habitat and fur poaching seem to be the main threats to this dwindling population. There may be hope for the Amur species, however; a coalition of organizations called the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance maintains a robust conservation effort to restore leopard numbers through breeding and habitat protection programs.

Leopards can be found throughout Asia.
Leopards can be found throughout Asia.

In Asia and Africa, several leopard species are subject to a color abnormality that creates an overall black coat. Called black panthers or black leopards, these animals have a faint rosette pattern upon close examination that clearly identifies them as leopards. Black leopards have been favorite animals at exotic zoos for more than a century, although the animals do not do well in captivity and are subject to depression and attacks. Due to the inbreeding of captive black leopards, temperament problems seem to have become inbred in many captive animals.

African leopards live in arid desert environments.
African leopards live in arid desert environments.

In 2007, scientists were surprised to discover an entirely new leopard species on the island of Borneo. The Borneo clouded leopard, originally thought to be identical to its cousins on the Asian mainland, was found to have genetically diverged more than a million years earlier, creating a distinct species. An apex predator on the island, the Borneo leopard is noted for its extremely long fangs, which are proportionally larger than any other big cat in existence.

Perhaps best known and most mysterious among leopard species is the ghostly snow leopard, native to the mountainous regions of Asia. There has been great taxonomic confusion about this species, with some genetic evidence more closely linking it to tigers than leopards. This astonishing animal is noted for its jumping ability, able to leap more than 50 feet (15.24 meters). Due to extensive poaching, the snow leopard has dwindled into near extinction, although several conservation unions have mounted extensive efforts to save the creature in the wild.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a AllThingsNature writer.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a AllThingsNature writer.

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Discussion Comments

Euroxati

I have seen leopards on the Discovery Channel, and they are a sight to behold. Despite how dangerous they seem, that's part of their beauty. Not only do they adapt to the wild quite well, but their numerous species all have something unique about them that separates them from others. For example, the snow leopard can adapt to cold areas, while the clouded leopard has longer fangs, while other species of leopards are great tree climbers.

Hazali

@RoyalSpyder - Well, first of all, I definitely don't think that leopards would attack humans. Considering how most (if not all) don't live around people, the chances aren't likely. However, if an attack was to occur, it may be due to the fact that you're invading on its territory, such as if you were traveling to Africa and trying to take pictures of them. If anything, we're the threat to these animals. It's a shame that so many have become extinct due to poachers and other human obstacles. Though I don't know what laws are being taken into effect to ensure that they're being preserved, action will probably be taken soon.

RoyalSpyder

Thankfully, most leopards don't live around here. However, does anyone know how dangerous they are to humans? I'm assuming that they would run away before trying to attack, correct?

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    • All leopards are classified under the species Panthera pardus, however these arboreal predators can be divided into several subspecies.
      By: Yulia Romanova
      All leopards are classified under the species Panthera pardus, however these arboreal predators can be divided into several subspecies.
    • Leopards can be found throughout Asia.
      By: Ekler
      Leopards can be found throughout Asia.
    • African leopards live in arid desert environments.
      By: george kuna
      African leopards live in arid desert environments.