The Amur leopard - the big cat, endangered

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Far Eastern leopard is divided into three types: Korean, Amur and Manchurian.Many scientists consider it one of the most beautiful species of leopard.It combines beauty, grace, stealth, strength, flexibility and agility.Sadly it is aware of, but these beauties are on the verge of extinction.Today, in the wild, there are no more than 30 individuals, about 300 animals live in zoos in the United States, Russia and Europe.

Far Eastern leopard lives in China and the Far East.Due to the fact that this kind of just like a black leopard, is on the verge of extinction, hunting is prohibited by law.For poaching in Russia assumed a fine of 500 000 rubles, and the imprisonment of 2 years.In China, for killing a leopard death penalty.

northern subspecies prefers forests of Manchurian type, watershed, hills, rocks.Weight 50 - 70 kg, length - 110 - 140 cm, tail - about 90 cm - Here is the Amur leopard.Photos of these beauties can be done only in nature reserves and zoos.In the wild, they almost never occur.In the summer the scalp reaches only 2.5 cm, and winter leopard dress in luxurious fur, pile length up to 6 cm.

These cats have excellent vision, they can see at a distance of 1.5 km.Do not complain about it and hearing and smell, so leopards are recognized as one of the most skilled hunters.In search of food Predators go after dark.The main diet - a deer and sika deer, for lack of a better and goes hunting for the Manchurian hare, raccoon dog and badger.Far Eastern leopard or ambush or sneaking up to the victim.He moved quietly, avoiding the dry branches.He prefers to go on the rocks, roots, or the next game.

This feline is no stranger to long hunger strike.One adult roe deer or leopard is enough for half a month, if you do not willingly enforces, the predator can stretch and 25 days.Far Eastern leopard in nature - single only in the mating season, he is looking for a couple, we have this period in January.After three months of pregnancy appear small spotted kittens.Female arranges a den for them in the crevices, caves, and other secluded places.Small leopards remain with their mother for two years, together, they hunt for prey.Puberty big cats reach 2.5 - 3 years.

Previously, the main reason for the reduction was the Far Eastern leopards their incompatibility with the Tigers, but now the problem seems not so serious.The blame for the extinction of this species, primarily human.Because of mass poaching of leopards have so little.Not the last role was played by the violation of the habitat.Deforestation works, forest fires, laying of railways and roads - all this could not but affect the population of the Far Eastern predator.Due to human activity has significantly decreased the number of prey, and they are the main food for the leopards.All this is slowly but very surely lead to the death of these beautiful animals.