Big Cats
Interpretive Guide
Exhibit Theme: Amazing Adaptations- Specialized Predators
Cheetahs and leopards have highly specialized adaptations that allow them to thrive in their
niche; cheetahs are built for speed, and leopards are incredible climbers.
Common Threats: Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, low genetic diversity
Habitat Loss: Each species is greatly affected by habitat loss and fragmentation, as they require a
large range to successfully hunt.
Human-wildlife Conflict: Farmers often kill leopards and cheetahs to prevent them from harming
or hunting their livestock.
Low Genetic Diversity: Cheetahs and Amur leopards suffer from low genetic diversity which
increases their susceptibility to disease.
Exhibit Conservation Message:
Although their adaptations are amazing, highly specialized species thrive in very specific
conditions; changes to their environment present huge challenges to their survival.
Conservation Ask: Protect natural habitats by making wildlife-friendly decisions
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
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Conserve habitat, energy and resources
Encourage local species by planting native plants in your garden or yard
Support conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife
Relevant Conservation Partner: Cheetah Conservation Fund
The CCF is dedicated to saving cheetahs in the wild; they work with stakeholders to develop best
practices in research, education, and land use to benefit all species, including people.
Recommended Biofacts: Cheetah skull, leopard pelt
3/31/2016
Big Cats Interpretive Guide
The Maryland Zoo
Cheetah Skull
Recommended Biofact
Possible Hooks: What animal do you think this belongs to? What type of food would it eat?
Why do you think the leopard’s habitat is fully enclosed, while the cheetah’s is not? How do you
think cheetahs are able to run so fast?
Skull Description:
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Teeth: Large, sharp canine teeth are used for biting and tearing meat
Binocular Vision: Forward facing eyes allow accurate vision, focus and depth perception
Nasal Cavity: The large nostrils, heart, and lungs increase airflow and air exchange,
allowing longer and faster chases than any other land animal
Adaptations for Speed:
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Body Shape: A long, flexible spine acts in coordination with a thin waist and long legs
o Cheetahs make huge strides while running, and spend half of the time airborne.
o A flexible spine allows cheetahs to make nearly instantaneous turns mid-chase.
Tail: An unusually long tail acts like a rudder and balance, aiding the cheetah as it turns.
Claws: Cheetahs cannot retract their claws, and instead use them as cleats to improve
traction on the ground.
“Fun Facts”:
Cheetahs are the fastest animal on land!
 They can reach speeds up to 70mph; that’s twice as fast as a leopard
 A single stride can cover more than 20 feet
3/31/2016
Cheetah Skull
The Maryland Zoo
Leopard Pelt
Recommended Biofact
Possible Hooks: Would you like to feel a leopard pelt? Do you think this is a cheetah or a
leopard pelt? Why do you think the leopard’s habitat is fully enclosed, while the cheetah’s is
not?
Adaptations: Leopards are well adapted for climbing and camouflage

Camouflage: Coat pattern provides camouflage that allows leopards to stalk prey
undetected.
o Amur leopards are generally paler in color than that of most African leopards,
which helps them blend in better in snowy habitats.
 Climbing: Leopards have a sturdy build and prefer to be elevated in trees
o Powerful climbing muscles:
 Long, muscular hind legs
 Special attachments on the scapula (shoulder bone) increase the size and
strength of the bone to allow for more powerful climbing muscles
o Retractable claws facilitate climbing
“Fun Facts”:
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
Leopards are known for storing kills in trees in areas where other large scavengers live.
Leopards are often mistaken for cheetahs, however they are very different.
o Cheetahs have “tear marks” running from their eyes to their mouth, while
leopards do not.
o Leopards have a rosette pattern, whereas cheetahs have black spots.
(Leopard, cheetah)
3/31/2016
Leopard Pelt
The Maryland Zoo
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
Description
 Size:
o 3.5-6 ft (112-150 cm) long
o 2-3 ft (67-94 cm) tall at shoulder
 Weight
o 77-158 lb (35-72 kg)
 Physical Description:
o Have a long, lanky body with a thick chest and thin limbs and abdomen.
o Yellow or golden coats with small black spots, tails have black bands and
sometimes a white tip, and “tear mark” markings running from the eyes to the
mouth.
o Have a small head with high-set eyes and small, flattened ears.
 Sexually dimorphic:
o Males tend to be larger than females.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range
 Range: Most cheetahs live in isolated populations in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in
the east and south
o Historically, the cheetah’s range has extended throughout the Middle East into
central India. Of the entire Asian population, the only remaining cheetahs are a
very small group in Iran.
 Habitat:
o Typically found in savannahs, grasslands, dry brush, and scrubland
o Can also be found in open, dry forests and semi-desert habitats
Diet
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Carnivorous:
o Prefers small- to medium-sized ungulates (hoofed mammals) such as gazelles or
young wildebeest
o Also eats birds, hares, and other small mammals.
Adaptations
 Long, flexible spine acts in coordination with a thin waist and long legs to achieve speeds
up to 70 mph, making the cheetah the fastest land animal.
o While running, a single stride may cover more than 20 feet, and the cheetah
spends more than half its time airborne.
o Due to the flexible nature of their spine, cheetahs can make nearly
instantaneous turns mid-chase.
 The unusually long tail acts like a rudder and balance, aiding the cheetah when it turns.
3/31/2016
Cheetah
The Maryland Zoo
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
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Unique among cats, cheetahs cannot retract their claws, and instead use them as cleats
to improve traction on the ground.
The large nostrils, heart, and lungs all act to increase airflow and air exchange, and allow
longer and faster chases than any other land animal.
Social Structure
 Males and females do not typically associate, and only meet briefly for mating
 Males tend to live in small groups of 2 or 3 called coalitions that collectively defend
territory, and occasionally hunt as group
o Coalitions tend to be aggressive towards male interlopers
 Females are typically solitary, unless they are raising cubs
o Though female ranges may overlap, they do not defend territory
 This social structure is unique among mammals
Lifespan/Life Cycle
 Wild: 10-16 years
 Captivity: Up to 19 years
Ecosystem relationships
 Predators
o Adults may be hunted by lions, hyenas, or leopards, but are very difficult to catch
o Larger predators frequently take cubs.
 Parasites
o Lions and hyenas are both known kleptoparasites, meaning that they will steal
other animal’s kills, particularly a cheetah’s
 Because a cheetah relies on speed and not strength, it is unable to
defend carcasses against larger predators, and will rarely contest them
Reproduction
 Breeding Season: Cheetahs mate throughout the year.
 Behavior:
o Cheetahs are promiscuous; a female may mate with several males during
estrous.
o Though typically non-aggressive, males may fight for mating rights with a female
during breeding season
o After mating, the male leaves the female and takes no part in raising young.
 Number of Offspring: Females typically have a litter of 3 to 6 cubs
 Gestation: 3 months
 Maturation:
o Cubs are altricial, or helpless, when born, and require a great deal of care
 Eyes open between 4 and 11 days after birth, and cubs begin walking at
3/31/2016
Cheetah
The Maryland Zoo
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
about 2 weeks of age
 Cubs are weaned before the age of 6 months, but the mother will feed
them small pieces of meat as early as 3 weeks old
o By 7 months of age, cubs begin to aid the mother in hunting. They are able to
hunt independently by 18 months, at which point the mother will stop taking
care of the litter.
o The litter disperses once the young females go into estrous at about 2 years of
age. The young females leave the litter to live alone, while the males typically
stay together in a coalition.
Activity:
 Diurnal
o Typically hunt during the day and rest at night
Other “Fun Facts”:
 Occasionally, a genetic color morph will appear with large splotches that may develop
into stripes. These morphs are called “king cheetahs,” but are not a separate species.
 The word cheetah comes from the ancient Indian Sanskrit chita or chitra, which means
“distinctly marked” or “bright or speckled”
 Leopards are often mistaken for cheetahs, and vice versa. Leopards have a rosette
pattern, which means that their spots are dark rings with a lighter brown filling.
Cheetahs, on the other hand, have solid black spots. Cheetahs also have “tear marks”
running from their eyes to their mouth, while leopards do not. Finally, leopards have a
sturdy build, while cheetahs are long and lanky.
o Behaviorally, cheetahs are built for running, while leopards are much slower, and
prefer to be elevated in trees or on rocks
Conservation Status and Threats:
 IUCN listed as Vulnerable
 Habitat loss and degradation severely affects cheetahs
o Planting crops reduces the cheetah’s ability to spot prey, diminishing hunting
capability
o Tilling land prevents prey, such as gazelles, from living in the area, which in turn
forces cheetahs out of the area
o Their speed maximizes its potential in flat, open plains, where mega herbivores
such as elephants have denuded most tall vegetation. When elephants are
extirpated from the area, thorny acacia trees grow. These thorns can easily blind
cheetahs, destroying their ability to hunt.
 The prey base upon which cheetahs rely has been depleted by human activity
o Because cheetahs are easily outcompeted by larger predators, scarcity of prey
threatens them more than lions or hyenas
 Cheetahs frequently hunt livestock, which leads to clashes with farmers
3/31/2016
Cheetah
The Maryland Zoo
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus

o Cows are easy prey for cheetahs and other predators, who frequently hunt
them.
o African farmers engage in both preventative and retaliatory killing of cheetahs to
protect their livelihood
o Some farmers have turned to using dogs and donkeys to guard their prey, both
of which effectively deter cheetahs from preying on livestock while not killing
them
o The Cheetah Conservation Fund has a program that gives Anatolian shepherds
and Kangal dogs to farmers and ranchers. These big dogs guard livestock and are
trained to bark whenever they see a cheetah. The noise and size of the dog is an
effective deterrent to cheetah attacks.
 Farmers who have received these dogs report an 80-100% reduction in
losses of livestock to cheetahs. The CCF has placed over 450 dogs since
1994, but there is still a long waiting list for dog adoptions.
The cheetah population suffers from unusually low genetic diversity
o Low genetic diversity present a potential problem, as a disease that severely
affects one cheetah is likely to cause the same effects in every cheetah
o Low population density and the fact that cheetahs do not scavenge act as
mitigating factors against the potential of disease epidemic
At the Zoo
We do not currently exhibit cheetahs at The Zoo. This is an important species at the Maryland
Zoo and we do hope to exhibit them again at some point in the future.
What We Can Do




Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat, such as the
Cheetah Conservation Fund. Learn more about them, spread the word, and consider
donating or getting involved.
o Founded in 1990, the CCF works with all stakeholders within the cheetah’s
ecosystem to develop best practices in research, education and ecology and
create a sustainable model from which all other species, including people, will
benefit.
Buy local produce and other food items that have been sustainably harvested, with a
minimal impact on the environment
Make sure you know the origin of the products you buy – buying something imported
illegally supports the black market by sustaining demand
3/31/2016
Cheetah
The Maryland Zoo
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus

o Ex. Rosewood is still being illegally imported from Madagascar despite bans on
logging because people are still buying it
Opt for fake fur over real fur when buying coats and other clothing and accessories
o All of our shopping choices can have an impact on the environment and wildlife,
so when available opt for recycled and local products
o Research responsible companies that do not use animal based products or
testing
References:
 Animal Diversity Web:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Acinonyx_jubatus/
 ARKive: http://www.arkive.org/cheetah/acinonyx-jubatus/
 Cheetah Conservation Fund: http://cheetah.org/you-can-help/donate/sponsor-a-dog/
 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/219/0
 The Maryland Zoo website: http://www.marylandzoo.org/animalsconservation/mammals/cheetah/
 The San Diego Zoo website: http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/cheetah
 The Smithsonian Zoo website:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AfricanSavanna/Facts/fact-cheetah.cfm
3/31/2016
Cheetah
The Maryland Zoo
Leopard
Panthera pardus ssp.
Description
 Size
o 3.5-6 ft long (100-190 cm)
o 1.5-2.75 ft shoulder height (45-80 cm)
 Weight
o 66-155 lb (30-70 kg)
 Physical Description:
o Medium- large cat with yellow or orange coat covered in black or dark brown
rosettes
o Has a large, broad skull with a short snout, long eyebrows and whiskers.
 Sexually dimorphic
o Males are larger than females.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range
 Range: Found in southern Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and scattered throughout northern
Africa and the Middle East
o We have two sub-species at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. The African leopard
(P. pardus pardus) is found exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa, while the Amur
leopard (P. pardus orientalis) is found primarily in the far eastern Russian
territory of Primorsky Krai. Their range formerly extended further south and
west into parts of the Korean peninsula and China, but has since reduced, and
Amur leopards are no longer found in those countries.
o Historic range is nearly twice the area currently occupied by leopards
 Habitat: Leopards have a broad ecological tolerance. They can be found in habitats
ranging from the savannah, woodlands, mountainous areas, jungles, swamps, and
deserts
Diet
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Carnivorous:
o Typically hunts medium- sized ungulates such as gazelles, deer, pigs, and
livestock
o Opportunistic hunters, and are known to eat smaller prey such as arthropods,
birds, rodents, other mammals, as well as carrion
Adaptations
 Coat pattern provides camouflage that allows leopards to stalk prey undetected
 Special attachments on the scapula (shoulder bone) increase the size and strength of
the bone to allow for more powerful climbing muscles
o Leopards are known for storing kills in trees in areas where other large
3/31/2016
African Leopard
The Maryland Zoo
Leopard
Panthera pardus ssp.
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scavengers live
Superb senses of sight and hearing are adaptations for hunting
Long eyebrows and eyelashes protect the leopard’s eyes when climbing or running
Strong legs allow leopards to move at speeds up to 37 mph (60 km/h)
Amur leopards have slightly thicker fur to protect them from the colder temperatures in
their native environment. The coat is also generally paler in color than that of most
African leopards, which helps it blend in better in snowy habitats.
Social Structure
 Typically solitary
o Have been seen in groups of 3-4
Lifespan/Life Cycle
 Wild: Median life expectancy 7-9 years
 Captivity: Typically live 21-23 years
Ecosystem relationships
 Predators:
o Cubs may be hunted by other large predators, such as lions, hyenas, wild dogs,
and tigers.
o Adult leopards have few predators, although they may be killed in territorial
disputes with lions or other large predators.
Reproduction
 Breeding season: Year round
 Behavior:
o Leopards are promiscuous, meaning that both males and females can have many
mates.
o While the female is in heat, the pair may stay together for several days and share
food resources.
 Number of offspring: typically 2-3 cubs, although litters of up to 6 have been recorded.
 Gestation: Gestation periods usually last about 96 days
 Maturation:
o Cubs are altricial, or helpless, lacking sight and the ability to walk
o Mothers keep their cubs in tree hollows, caves, dense brush, or rock hollows,
moving them frequently to avoid detection by other predators
o Cubs learn to walk at about 2 weeks, and begin to leave the den and eat solid
food between 6 and 8 weeks of age
o Cubs are weaned at about 3 months, though they may remain with their mother
for up to 2 years of age
o Sexual maturity is reached around 2 years of age
3/31/2016
African Leopard
The Maryland Zoo
Leopard
Panthera pardus ssp.
o Territories can be flexible, and some leopards maintain their natal (birth)
territory
Activity:
 Nocturnal
o Typically active at night
o Rarely diurnal in areas close to human settlement
“Fun Facts”
 There are four big bats in the genus Panthera; the leopard is the smallest.
 Leopards are often mistaken for cheetahs or jaguars, however they are very different.
o Leopards and jaguars have a rosette pattern. Whereas cheetahs simply have
black spots.
o
o
o

(Leopard, cheetah, jaguar)
o Cheetahs have “tear marks” running from their eyes to their mouth, while
leopards and jaguars do not.
o Leopards have a sturdy build and prefer to be elevated in trees or on rocks.
Jaguars are larger and stockier than leopards. Cheetahs are long and lanky; built
for running.
Leopards have been reported to kill and consume prey as large as a baby giraffe, which
may weigh up to three times the leopard’s weight!
Conservation Status and Threats:
 IUCN listed as Near Threatened
o The African subspecies seen at the Zoo is considered Near Threatened due to its
adaptability, wide range, and tolerance to local human settlement
o The African subspecies can still be found throughout most of its historic range,
though the populations are becoming increasingly sparse
o Other leopard subspecies are critically endangered, particularly those endemic
to southern, central, and eastern Asia, including the Amur Leopard.
 The chief threats facing the African population are habitat loss and fragmentation, and
deliberate hunting of leopards
o While leopards are tolerant to habitat degradation, they require plenty of area
3/31/2016
African Leopard
The Maryland Zoo
Leopard
Panthera pardus ssp.

to support adequate prey populations. When habitats are fragmented or
degraded, no prey large enough to feed a leopard may be found.
o Illegal poaching and trophy hunting is a large threat to leopards.
 It is a complex issue, however legal and well managed trophy hunting can
be beneficial to conservation.
o Some farmers actively hunt leopards or poison carcasses to kill or discourage
large predators such as leopards from attacking cattle.
Populations in Asia, including the Amur Leopard are critically threatened by habitat loss,
competition with local hunters for food, and poaching for pelts. Other threats to the
survival of Amur leopards include forest fires, inbreeding and lack of genetic diversity.
At the Zoo
The Zoo houses two leopards.
 Male African leopard Hobbes was born in 1994 and came to the Zoo after being
found as an orphan.
 Female Amur leopard Sofiya was born at the St Louis Zoological Park, in May of
2008. Sofiya moved to The Maryland Zoo in mid-November 2014 as a part of a SSP.
What We Can Do





Make sure you know the origin of the products you buy – buying something imported
illegally supports the black market by sustaining demand
o Ex. Rosewood is still being illegally imported from Madagascar despite bans on
logging because people are still buying it
Opt for fake fur over real fur when buying coats and other clothing and accessories
o All of our shopping choices can have an impact on the environment and wildlife,
so when available opt for recycled and local products
o Research responsible companies that do not use animal based products or
testing
Buy local produce and other food items that have been sustainably harvested, with a
minimal impact on the environment
Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat - conserve
energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Learn more
about them, spread the word, and consider donating or getting involved.
References:
 Animal Diversity Web:
3/31/2016
African Leopard
The Maryland Zoo
Leopard
Panthera pardus ssp.
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
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
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
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Panthera_pardus/
ARKive: http://www.arkive.org/leopard/panthera-pardus/image-G79204.html
IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/15954/0
The Maryland Zoo website: http://www.marylandzoo.org/animalsconservation/mammals/african-leopard/
The San Diego Zoo: http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/leopard
Wildlife Conservation Society: http://www.wcsrussia.org/enus/wildlife/amurleopards/ecology.aspx
Audubon Institute: http://www.auduboninstitute.org/animals/asian-domain/amurleopard-1951
Felid TAG: http://felid-tag.org/amur-leopard/
http://www.denverzoo.org/downloads/dzoo_amur_leopard.pdf
http://www.altaconservation.org/amur-leopard/amur-leopard-factfile/
http://www.africanwildlifeconservationfund.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/09/Potential-of-trophy-hunting.pdf
Resources:

Potential of well managed trophy hunting.
http://www.africanwildlifeconservationfund.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/09/Potential-of-trophy-hunting.pdf
3/31/2016
African Leopard
The Maryland Zoo