Our wildlife is amazing. And one cannot disagree with this. You can talk a lot about bright songbirds, huge whales, terrifying sharks … but now I would like to pay attention to wild cats - noble, graceful, stately creatures.
Red Listed
Representatives of this species of predatory feline appeared on our Earth about 3.8 million years ago. Much earlier than lions and jaguars, but later tigers and snow leopards. These large cats have a muscular, somewhat elongated body, characterized by incredible harmony, flexibility and lightness. Particularly noteworthy are the front paws - wide and powerful.
The body length reaches 190 centimeters (along with an almost meter-long tail). These representatives of the genus panther weigh up to 75 kilograms. But this is the maximum. Females are smaller, lower and “lighter” - about a third.
Looking at this cat, you can guess its physical strength. Leopard speed reaches 60 km / h. High strong legs and a flexible structure allows these animals to quickly gain such dynamics. The average leopard speed is 16-18 meters per second. It is surprising that this animal can easily make a 10-meter long jump. In height, of course, the indicator will be smaller, but also impressive - 4 m.
About the hunt
The speed of the leopard cannot but surprise - after all, about the same mark is the speedometer needle of cars that travel daily within the city. But the cat rarely uses such abilities. Because leopards watch their victims usually on a tree. And when potential production approaches, they jump from above. They feed mainly on ungulates. Sometimes birds, monkeys, rodents and even reptiles. Carrion also does not disdain.
But still, the leopard's speed appears after the hunt. Killing the victim, he grabs it with his long and sharp fangs and instantly climbs with it to the tree, pulling food on high branches. He does this so that other animals do not get to his food. Surprisingly, with an antelope, whose weight can reach 80 kilograms, a leopard can race without slowing down. And with her in his teeth, he easily jumps to a height of 2-3 meters. Climbing the trees is also easy for this predator - because its sharp, strong, rounded claws are about 5 cm long. They can kill the prey with them - and catching on the bark certainly will not be difficult.
Sea "namesake"
So, above we told what the leopard speed is (km / h), and discussed what features this graceful creature has. Now we can note the attention of his marine "namesake", which in Latin is known as Hydrurga leptonyx. And this is a sea leopard! A seal that lives in the subantarctic regions of the southern ocean. Why is he called that? Looking at the photo below, you can independently give an answer to this question. This is because of his spotted skin. And predatory behavior.
Indeed, this creature feeds on other seals, penguins and warm-blooded. Nobody can get away from him. If the victim tries to escape and gets out on the ice, a predatory seal follows and finishes it. This is a very dangerous creature. Another photograph below shows how large the sea leopard is. Its body weight and length are two times greater than that of the well-known crabeater seals. On the bodies of which, by the way, one can often see scars due to the attack of these marine predators.
Physiology
The speed of the sea leopard reaches 40 km / h. Compared to a wild cat, the figure may not be impressive, but you just have to look closely at this animal! This is a seal whose body aerodynamics leave much to be desired. Although biologists claim that this form is just what you need. It is streamlined, and because of it the seal looks like a torpedo. And they are known to be fast.
In general, the maximum leopard speed is achieved in a very interesting way. The front fins work quickly, synchronously - they carry the seal forward. Their length reaches a meter, so that acceleration occurs quickly. A long flexible neck at the same time holds a slightly flattened head, something even similar to a snake.
And the aggressive nature also makes itself felt - the speed of movement of the sea leopard, as soon as he saw his potential food, increases significantly. He can even jump out of the water in height, despite his weight in half a ton.
What's the Difference?
It would seem that this is not an entirely relevant question, given that one animal is a feline and the other a seal. And yet, since the names of the species are almost identical, this cannot be said.
The spotted seal is unjustifiably called a leopard. Because these cats are not really aggressive. They will never attack a person if he does not bother them. Leopards only defend themselves - otherwise they are peaceful. But this cannot be said about spotted killer seals. Although only one death is known. And again the speed of this seal played a role. Here's what happened: Kirsty Brown (a female scientist from Britain) plunged into the water to a depth of 70 meters. The sea leopard appeared as if from nowhere - grabbed it and held it until the girl suffocated. These creatures attack even when people are outside "their environment" - on land. Jump and grab the legs. However, there are people who assure that it is possible to establish contact with them. Photographers, for example. Many argue that seals, if “stayed with them in sight”, show not aggression, but curiosity.
