The Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis, formerly Panthera pardus japonensis) is a critically endangered subspecies of the of the Leopard (Panthera pardus). It is also known as the North Chinese Leopard.

The Amur Leopard has thick pale-cream fur with dark markings on its head and widely-spaced rosettes on its sides. In winter, the colour of its fur changes to light-yellow to orange-brown.

 

It measures about 107-136 centimetres (42-54 inches) in length. Its tail is 82-90 centimetres (32-35 inches) long.

The Amur Leopard is native to south-eastern Russia and northern China.

It avoids human activity. It likes cold climates with snow. It prefers river basins.

It is primarily diurnal, active during the day. It eats deer, wild boar, wapiti, and moose, as well as smaller mammals, such as hares, badgers, fowl, and mice.

It is solitary.

Like other large cats, the Amur Leopard is pregnant for 90-105 days, before giving birth to 2-3 young, called cubs. The cubs are born in a rocky den or rock crevice. The cubs are born with fur, but are born blind. Their eyes open after about 7 days and they are independent after about 18-22 months.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM