Leopards are shy, solitary creatures ? cunning and far more silent than lions. They climb expertliy and are found in a wide range of habitats from dense forest to mountains, bushveld and desert. They are less easily seen on foot than any other carnivore, and most dangerous when wounded, cornered or persistently disturbed. The call is a coughing, rasping sound. Hunted for their pelts, their numbers have been heavily reduced, although they are probably more common than generally believed. They usually kill their prey by biting through the throat and nape of the neck. Large kills are hauled into the fork of a tree out of the reach of lions, wild dogs, hyaenas and vultures. After disembowelling the prey, they feed on the chest, thighs or around the anus. They lap blood readily which satisfies their moisture requirements.

Carnivorous. Diverse diet, ranging from insects to domestic stock. Includes fish, reptiles, birds, dassies, dogs and decaying flesh. They are partial to baboons and will venture to the topmost branches of a tree in an attempt to corner one. Impala are considered to form the principal part of their diet in savanna and bush ecosystems where leopard are common. Leopard are not dependent on water, but will drink when water is available.