The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is also known as the Far East leopard, the Manchurian leopard or the Korean leopard. A subspecies of the leopard, these animals are found in the forested transboundary region that spans the Russian Far East and China.
This rare subspecies of leopard has adapted to life in the temperate forests that make up the northernmost part of the species’ range.
Amur Leopards have long bushy tails. With an average length of just under 3 feet. In the winter, Amur Leopards will use their tail to keep warm, wrapping it around themselves like a blanket.
Amur leopards have a paler coat than most subspecies of leopards, and large, dark, widely spaced rosettes with thick, unbroken rings. They weigh 70-105 pounds. Since they are so well adapted to living in the harsh, cold climate of the Russian Far East, they have a thick coat that can grow as long as 7 centimeters in winter.
Amur Leopards can run at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour. They are also excellent climbers and will carry their prey up trees to consume it away from potential scavengers.
In 2000, a survey found just 30 Amur leopards in a small area along the border of Russia and China, making the Amur leopard the rarest big cat on Earth. Today the Amur leopard’s population is estimated to have increased to more than 100 individuals in the wild, and more than 300 in zoos across the world.
Amur leopard
