Leopards

The Graceful Cat

We had not yet seen the leopard and were hoping to find one soon. Unlike lions, leopards are solitary cats and that affects their hunting style and behavior.

They don’t spend time on the ground unless they are actively looking for food. They won’t target animals with horns because getting injured by that weapon can be the equivalent of a death sentence. Without a hunting companion, leopards are vulnerable.

And they move so quickly and stealthily, they are hard to find. That’s why we looked for them in trees, where they sleep away the days.

Sleeping on a full belly does not look that comfortable.

And another one:

I have no idea how our guides were able to spot them – these trees were not that close to the jeep tracks we used.

In Botswana, the leopard hunts mostly at night. It goes after the antelope family (impalas, gazelles), warthogs, rodents, things like that.

Beautiful animals! I love the piercing eyes!