Publisher's Synopsis
The leopard is a big cat distinguished by its robust build and muscular but relatively shorter limbs, a broad head and a coat covered by spots arranged in rosettes. Males stand 60-70 cm (24-28 in) at the shoulder, while females are 57-64 cm (22-25 in) tall. The head-and-body length is typically between 90 and 190 cm (35 and 75 in). While males weigh 37-90 kg (82-198 lb), females weigh 28-60 kg (62-132 lb);these measurements vary geographically.The maximum recorded weight for a leopard is 96.5 kilograms (213 lb).Sexually dimorphic, males are larger and heavier than females.Basically pale yellow to yellowish brown or golden (except for the melanistic forms), the coat is spotted and rosetted; spots fade toward the white underbelly and the insides and lower parts of the legs. Rosettes are most prominent on the back, flanks and hindquarters.The pattern of the rosettes is unique to each individual. Juveniles have woolly fur, and appear dark due to the densely arranged spots.The white-tipped tail, 60-100 centimetres (24-39 in) long, white underneath, displays rosettes except toward the end, where the spots form incomplete bands.
