Who are jaguars? Jaguar animal

Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)- most large tiger in the world. And the only one of the tigers who has mastered life in the snow. No other country in the world has such an asset. Without exaggeration, this is one of the most advanced predators among all others. Unlike the lion, which forms prides (families) and lives through collective hunts, the tiger is a distinct loner, and therefore requires the highest skill in hunting.

The tiger crowns the top of the food pyramid of a unique ecological system called the Ussuri taiga. Therefore, the state of the tiger population is an indicator of the state of the entire Far Eastern nature.

The Amur tiger conservation project was one of WWF's first serious steps in Russia. Accounting data for 2004/2005 showed that through the joint efforts of state and public environmental organizations Stabilization of the tiger population has been achieved at a level of more than 450 individuals.

And here is the interview with a WWF employee(questions are divided into groups to better perceive the information):

Tiger Population Status

How does Amur tiger monitoring work? How do you distinguish one tiger from another so as not to record the same tiger twice?

Tigers are not seen during counting. Experts are counting their tracks. In order to distinguish one trace from another, a measurement system has been developed and tested in practice. So the accountant is not allowed into the taiga without a tape measure. By correctly measuring the footprint, you can understand whether it is a male or female or a young animal. Then the counting officer determines the freshness of the track and its direction... In a word, in order not to count the same tiger twice, you need to learn a lot. In tiger affairs, tracking is recognized as a science.

Lives in India more tigers than in Russia? Why do you say that the situation with tigers in Russia is better?

According to the most recent data (International Tiger Forum in Kathmandu, 2009), there are 1,400 tigers left in India today. But at the same time, the number of tigers in India six years ago was more than twice as high! That is, the population is simply melting before our eyes. And Russia is the only tiger range country where numbers have increased significantly since the middle of the last century, and have been relatively stable over the past 10 years. At the same time, Russia today “owns” the largest tiger population in a single range (about 11% of the world population).

How many tigers are there in the world? Where is the situation worst and where is it best?

The global tiger conservation situation can be described as catastrophic. Over the past 100 years, the number of this species has decreased by 25 times - from 100 thousand to 4 thousand. At the same time, the number continues to decline. So, in India, where he lives greatest number tigers, their numbers in 1995-2005. decreased from 3.5 thousand to 1.4 thousand. In a number of regions, tigers disappeared completely - Transcaucasia (1930s), Central Asia(1960s), Fr. Bali and o. Java (Indonesia, 1960-1980s). Currently, tigers are preserved in 14 countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, China, North Korea (not confirmed), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand.

WWF has always said that tiger numbers have stabilized. But I recently read in the media that it is being greatly reduced in recent years! This is true?

Yes and no. An analysis of long-term monitoring results shows that in the last four years there has been a steady trend toward a decrease in the number of traces found at survey sites. WWF shares the alarm caused by these results. However, many journalists “stepped up their pitch.” And specific figures appeared that did not correspond to reality. Someone wrote about the reduction by half, and in one of the media there was a phrase “only 36 animals were found”... Today WWF has completely taken upon itself the burden of financing the next monitoring. In mid-December 2009, monitoring participants had already set out on the white trail, and our experts will monitor the progress of field work at the survey sites.

How many Siberian tigers are left? Is this a lot or a little? How many tigers can live in Russia?

The last frontal census of the Amur tiger took place with the participation of WWF in 2005. He showed that we have about 500 Amur tigers. This is neither more nor less. This is exactly as much as the still uncut areas of the Ussuri taiga can accommodate. WWF plans for the next ten to twelve years to resettle the tiger within its historical range, i.e. return to the places where he once lived, but was then exterminated. Thus, we expect that the number of tigers will increase to 750. However, this is only possible due to an intensive increase in the number of ungulates.

The main enemy of the tiger is the poacher

How do poachers kill tigers? With a gun or setting traps?

We don’t really want to publish something on the WWF website detailed instructions about effective ways prey of the Amur tiger. Let's just say that various traps claim significantly more tiger lives than attempts to find a tiger in the taiga and sneak up on it with a gun. IN lately Cases of shooting at tigers gaping on the side of the road from a car window have become more frequent.

Why do poachers need a tiger?

The hope is to sell tiger parts to Chinese smugglers. The hope is to sell the tiger skin to rich bigwigs. But the most dangerous thing is simply thoughtlessly shooting at a randomly encountered tiger, not “for what reason,” but “just because.”

Who is fighting poachers now? Far East?

This is one of the most painful and pressing issues! Here are simple and understandable numbers.

IN 2002 year, more than 1400 people.

IN 2009 year total number inspectors were halved - to 760 people, and their funding was reduced by more than half.

Currently, responsibility for tiger conservation has been transferred to the constituent entities of the Federation. On the territory of reserves and national parks the tiger is protected by their security services, but not protected areas- Directorate for the protection, control and regulation of the use of wildlife in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories. WWF provides assistance to all these government agencies.

Is it true that China has the death penalty for killing a tiger? So no one kills him there?

It's not that simple. Deep in China, the severity of the punishment is at work. But in the strip bordering Russia, the poor and hungry local Chinese population is installing tens of thousands of poaching snares. And the noose is blind. She indiscriminately strangles both deer and tiger.

Who is helping the wounded tiger now and how? Who is treating him? What about orphan tiger cubs? Is it possible to release them later?

The Tiger Special Inspectorate is responsible for this. Every winter, five or six orphaned tiger cubs end up in trouble. They are caught and transferred to the Utes Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This is not government agency. It does not receive any funding for such work. Therefore, the costs of treatment and rehabilitation of tiger cubs are borne by charities. If rehabilitation is carried out according to all the rules, the tiger can be returned to the wild. During the existence of the Tiger Special Inspectorate, two adult cured tigers and four orphaned tiger cubs, raised without a mother, were released into the taiga. W WF has been insisting on the creation of a STATE rehabilitation center for many years. And recently such a decision was finally made.

Tiger Lunch

Can a tiger fish?

Not only fish, but also crayfish.

Domestic cats eat grass, some like vegetables and fruits. You cannot feed a cat meat alone. Tell me, does a tiger eat anything else besides meat?

The tiger knows medicinal herbs well and uses them when necessary.

Why does WWF say that we need to save the cedar tree in order to save the tiger? Does a tiger really eat pine nuts?

Cedar is the breadfruit tree of the Ussuri taiga. The number of wild boars directly depends on the harvest of pine nuts. And the wild boar is the basis of the tiger's food supply.

How much does a tiger eat in a year?

According to experts, one tiger needs to eat at least fifty adult ungulates per year.

What animals does a tiger eat?

Actually, a tiger eats everything that is smaller than it. From the Manchurian hare, which is the size of a glove, to Himalayan bear, which can be equal in weight to a tiger. However, the basis of its diet consists of ungulates: wild boar, wapiti, sika deer and roe deer.

Good question. Hunters usually ask us this question. But many years of research have shown that the tiger is the “softest” predator, which is simply not able to seriously reduce the number of ungulates. Where hunters have seriously begun using various biotechnical measures to increase the number of game by new level, the tiger population is also starting to increase. However, soon the number of tigers living in this “supermarket” becomes stable, and the ungulates continue to increase. But where the tiger disappeared, a wolf instantly comes. The wolf, unlike the tiger, knows how and can seriously undermine the number of ungulates.

Tiger and man

Do tigers differentiate between good and evil people, poachers and forest rangers? Or maybe we all look the same to them?

There are reliable cases where a wounded tiger spent a long time and purposefully pursued the very person who shot him. So we are not all the same to him...

In places where tigers live, they attack domestic animals, livestock, and even people. What is being done to protect people from the tiger?

Responsibility for allowing everyone conflict situations between man and tiger is assigned to government agency- Special inspection "Tiger". Initially, the animal is scared away. If this does not work, they are caught and transported to areas remote from people. Only in case of direct mortal danger Shooting is allowed for human life.

What to do if you meet a tiger in the forest? Should I run away or, on the contrary, freeze and stand still?

Do not run away under any circumstances. Otherwise, the tiger will react to you like your kitten to a paper wrapper on a string. It is recommended to slowly, without turning your back to the animal, clear the way for it and move away. Helps very well human voice. But only if it is a calm and confident human voice. If you are not sure that a pig squeal will not pour out of you, it is better not to open your mouth.

Is it possible to tame a tiger if you start from childhood so that it becomes friends with a person? Or is he too wild beast, which cannot be completely trusted, but only trained and kept in a cage?

A cat is also a cat in the taiga. After all, admit it, even your domestic pussy is sure that she is the mistress of the house, and you are simply in her service. What can we say about a cat weighing nearly two hundred kilograms? We do not recommend experimenting.

Tiger House

WWF doesn't want to breed tigers in other regions of Russia - for example, in Kamchatka or in the Moscow region?

The Amur tiger is the only tiger subspecies that has learned to live in the snow. And yet he remains a southerner - the height of the snow cover is the most important limiting factor for the tiger. The tiger is historically tied to a very specific climatic region - the south of the Far East. And any attempts to settle it, for example, in deep-snow Kamchatka, are doomed to failure. But that's not even the main thing. In the past, during the times of socialism, there were many attempts to acclimatize various animals (raccoon dog in Europe, American mink in the Far East, etc.) where they had never lived. Time has shown that all these experiments only harmed the local nature. Today such “improvisations” are prohibited.

Are there any excursions to nature reserves where you can see the Amur tiger in wildlife?

See a wild Amur tiger in the wild Ussuri taiga- this is crazy luck even for those who study them from morning to evening. And the animal is extremely secretive, and the taiga is completely impenetrable. So if you are miraculously lucky, you might see it. But not a single nature reserve guarantees you such a meeting. To film a few minutes of a tiger in the Lazovsky Nature Reserve, the Korean television company had to live in the taiga for two and a half years...

Do tigers live only in nature reserves? Can a tiger live near the city?

Unfortunately, protected areas occupy only 20% of the tiger's range. The remaining eighty percent are areas where hunting and logging are permitted. Tiger tracks are regularly found in the dacha suburbs of Vladivostok, Ussuriysk and Khabarovsk. In a word, today the tiger has populated ALL the territory where there is at least some forest left. But at the same time, according to radio tracking data of tagged tigers, competition for the right to get an “apartment” in the reserve is deadly tough.

How much space does one tiger need?

A female usually needs 20 square kilometers of deep taiga. The male requires much more - up to 100 square kilometers. Usually, the individual plot of one male accommodates the plots of two or three females with tiger cubs. If there is a lot of food, that is, ungulates, then up to four females can live in the same territory.

How long is a tiger's tail and others general questions about the tiger

What is the difference between Amur, Ussuri and Siberian tigers?

They are no different. Official name our tiger is the Amur tiger. However, for foreigners, everything that lies on the eastern side of the Urals is Siberia. Therefore in American scientific literature our Amur tiger is listed as Sibirian Tiger. The term " Ussuri tiger” was introduced at their own peril and risk by Channel 2 correspondents when they were preparing a report on Vladimir Putin’s participation in a project to study Amur tigers in the Ussuri Nature Reserve. But the beast is actually the same. And he doesn’t even know about this linguistic leapfrog with its name.

What is the difference in character between a tiger and a leopard?

All cats are very similar in their behavior. Tiger and leopard are no exception. However, the leopard is more flexible; it manages to live very close to a person, never catching his eye. The tiger can't do that. To be happy, he needs the deep, deserted taiga.

What is the relationship between a female and a male tiger after the birth of a cub?

A tiger meets with a female for only two to three days. And, having done his male work, he leaves her until the moment when his children grow up and are ready to start an independent life, that is, for about two years. The father does not participate in any way in feeding and raising the offspring. So all worries about children fall on the fragile shoulders of the female.

What is the length of the tail of the largest and smallest tigers?

The largest - Amur tigers - have a tail length of up to 115 cm. The smallest - Sumatran - 60-90 cm.

How many teeth does a tiger have?

Like all cats in the world, the tiger has 30 teeth.

What is the life expectancy of a tiger?

IN ideal conditions zoo Amur tigers They easily live up to twenty years. In real wild taiga life, not every tiger manages to live to see ten. The life of females, as a rule, is shorter than that of males, because they have to spend incredible strength and vital energy not on themselves, but on raising their offspring.

Does a tiger have the same number of stripes throughout its life or does it change with age? Tigers in different countries do they look different from each other?

The pattern of stripes on a tiger not only does not change, it serves as a reliable individual sign, like fingerprints on a person. No two tigers have the same stripe configuration. This is the basis of the photo accounting method.

The number and configuration of black stripes on the skin vary in different geographical areas and serves as one of the grounds for distinguishing subspecies of the tiger. The number of which reaches 100.

Ours, the Amur tiger, is distinguished by thick, long (compared to other subspecies) and fluffy fur, with a duller red background and fewer stripes than other subspecies. The Indochinese tiger, for example, has a darker overall coloration, while the Sumatran tiger is considered the brightest.

Can tigers purr?

In fact, science says that large cats are deprived of the ability to purr like domestic cats, that is, to vibrate both when exhaling and inhaling. But, you will laugh without knowing it scientific research their hard cartilage, which supposedly interferes with vibration, Amur tigers in good mood They still purr.

Can tigers climb trees?

It is believed that adult Amur tigers are unable to climb trees. However, there are reliable cases where a tiger easily and naturally climbed to the tops of huge fir trees or into the crowns of old oak trees. If he really needs it, he can do it. Keep this in mind.

Take care and love tigers and all other animals

The material was taken from the World Wildlife Fund website

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A short message about the jaguar can be used in preparation for the lesson. A story about a jaguar for children can be supplemented with interesting facts.

Report about the jaguar

The Jaguar is one of the largest and most beautiful representatives of the Carnivora order. Belongs to the group of so-called “ big cats", in size it is second only to the tiger and lion, and in appearance it is very similar to a leopard. But a jaguar is larger than a leopard

Description of the jaguar

Body length without tail is 112-185 cm, tail 45-75 cm, weight reaches 36-113 kg, mostly 60-90 kg. Its body is stockier, its paws are shorter and thicker, and its jaws are more massive and resemble the face of a tiger. The skin of a jaguar is colored with black spots scattered on a yellow background, but unlike a leopard, these spots are not evenly distributed, but are grouped into peculiar rosette rings.

Where does the jaguar live?

The species' range extends from Mexico south to Paraguay and northern Argentina. Favorite place jaguar habitats are dense rain forests. In addition, jaguars can be found in swamps, dry thickets and pampas. These animals lead a solitary lifestyle. The area belonging to one individual is quite large. In males this territory is up to 100 square meters for each individual, females have only 25 square meters. It goes hunting at sunset or early in the morning before sunrise.

They are excellent tree climbers and can even catch prey (such as monkeys) in the branches.

What do jaguars eat?

The main food for these cats is ungulates; they do not eat carrion. They usually hunt down large prey (deer, peccaries, capybaras, tapirs), but on occasion they do not disdain small animals (birds, agoutis, monkeys, sloths, fish). Thanks to strong jaws Jaguars can attack turtles and crocodiles, easily gnawing their shells and tough skin. They have no fear of snakes; on the contrary, they are not averse to dining on a gaping boa constrictor or a young anaconda. Sometimes jaguars approach human habitation, where they hunt livestock and domestic dogs. They stalk their prey from ambush, hiding in bushes or grass. Nevertheless, these cats are not dangerous to humans; very few reliable cases of attacks on people are known throughout history.

Jaguar breeding

These cats do not have a specific breeding season: a female can mate with a male at any time of the year. To search for a partner, animals emit a loud growl, and sometimes several contenders gather around the female at once. Despite their strength and power, jaguars rarely start fights with each other, and the choice of a partner depends entirely on the beautiful “lady”.

Pregnancy lasts 100-110 days. There are up to 4 kittens in a litter, which spend up to 1.5 months in the den. Young animals roam with their mother until they are 3 years old. At this age, they perfectly comprehend the art of hunting and become sexually mature, after which they acquire their own heirs.

How long does a jaguar live? Jaguars live up to 20-25 years.

In nature, these animals have few enemies. The danger in the form of crocodiles and anacondas threatens only young and inexperienced individuals. Jaguars have a dislike for pumas, the only cats that hunt prey of a similar size.

The number of the species remains low, so the jaguar is included in the International Red Book.

We hope the information provided about the jaguar has helped you. You can leave your report about the jaguar using the comment form.

Although a rare subspecies of leopards can be found in the Far East of our country, as well as in northern China. This subspecies is called the Far Eastern Amur leopard. It is also known as the Amur leopard.

This predator was listed in the Red Book. It belongs to a subspecies that is on the verge of extinction. The population of the Far Eastern leopard today is in critical condition.

At the same time, the fact that the Amur tiger - its famous “cousin” - has increased its population size gives hope for the preservation of this subspecies. There is an opinion that the Amur leopard, the photo of which is presented in this article, can be saved through the implementation of various environmental projects.

Description of the breed

This leopard has many distinctive features from other felines. IN summer period the wool reaches 2.5 centimeters in length, and in winter it is replaced by 7 centimeters. In cold weather, the Amur leopard has a light coat color with a reddish-yellow tint, while in summer richer and brighter colors predominate.

The Far Eastern Amur leopard (photos of the animal are presented in this article) has long legs that allow it to walk freely in the snow. At the same time, the weight of males reaches 48 kg, although there are also larger representatives of the breed - 60 kg. Females weigh up to 43 kg.

Habitat

At the beginning of the 20th century, the leopard was found in the south of Sikhote-Alin, as well as in the southwestern part, although in recent years it has not been reliably recorded there. Currently, the Amur leopard lives in the mountain forest areas of the southwestern part of the Primorsky Territory, where it has a clear preference for pine-black fir-broad-leaved forests. It is less willing to colonize especially pyrogenic oak forests, the area of which is increasing due to annual fires.

This representative of the cat family selects territories with steep slopes of hills, rugged terrain, watersheds and rocky outcrops. Its range has now shrunk to a critical size and covers only a limited mountain forest area of 15 thousand km² (in Primorye, from the Razdolnaya River, as well as on the border with the DPRK and the PRC).

Historical distribution

Today, the distribution of the subspecies has been reduced to a small fraction of its historical original range. Initially, the Far Eastern leopard lived throughout the northeastern part of Manchuria, in the provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin, including, in addition, on the Korean Peninsula.

and reproduction

The Amur leopard puberty occurs at the age of 3 years. In the wild, life expectancy is about 15 years, while in captivity it is 20 years. The Amur leopard mating season falls in the spring. A litter includes 1-4 cubs. At the age of three months they are weaned, while the cubs gain independence at 1.5 years, leaving their mother to later lead a solitary life.

Social structure

The Amur leopard (pictures of it are presented in this article) prefers a solitary night look life. But some males may stay with their females after mating and also help raise the young. It often happens that several males simultaneously pursue one female and also fight for the opportunity to mate with her.

Nutrition

The basis of its diet is roe deer, raccoon dogs, hares, small wild boars, badgers, sika deer.

Main threats

The Far Eastern Amur leopard lost more than 80% of its habitat between 1970 and 1983. The main reasons turned out to be fires, the forestry industry, and the transformation of land for agriculture. But all is not lost. Currently, there are forest areas suitable for animals to live in. It is possible to protect territories from the harmful influence of humans, in addition, to increase the population size.

Lack of loot

It should be noted that in China there are vast areas of suitable habitat, but the level of food supply here is insufficient to maintain the population at the required level. The volume of production may increase due to the regulation of forest use by the population, as well as the adoption of measures to protect ungulates. To survive, the Far Eastern leopard needs to repopulate its original habitat.

Illegal trade and poaching

The Amur leopard is constantly hunted illegally because of its spotted and beautiful fur. In 1999, an undercover investigation team conducted an experiment: they were able to recreate the skin of a male and female Far Eastern leopard, after which they sold it for $500 and $1000.

This experiment demonstrates that there are illegal markets for such products and they are located near animal habitats. Villages and agriculture surrounded by forests where these animals live. This creates accessibility to forests, and poaching is a more serious problem here than in regions remote from people. This circumstance applies to both leopards and other animals that are destroyed for money and food.

Conflict with a person

It should be noted that the Amur leopard (photos of the animal are admired for its beauty) is especially vulnerable, since part of its diet consists of deer. The human contribution to the overall decline in the number of deer, due to the value of its antlers, prevents the leopard from obtaining sufficient food.

Due to the decline in deer populations, leopards often enter reindeer herding farms in search of food. The owners of these lands often kill animals to protect their investments.

Inbreeding

The Amur leopard is also endangered due to its small population, which makes it vulnerable to a variety of disasters, including disease, forest fires, changes in mortality and fertility rates, sex ratios, and inbreeding depression. It should be noted that in nature there were also observed family ties This means that this can lead to various genetic problems, including a decrease in fertility.

Similar matings occur in certain populations of large cats, although outbreeding is not allowed in small populations. Studies have demonstrated that the average number of offspring of an adult female has decreased significantly.

Unfortunately, at the present moment the situation with the Amur leopard can be considered truly catastrophic - for example, over the past twenty years, its habitat area in our country has almost halved, while its number has decreased several dozen times. Due to this, the Amur leopard is protected today.

She classified the animal in the first category as a rare animal, which is on the verge of extinction, with a very limited range, whose main population is located within our country. At the same time, the leopard was included in the Appendix of the First CITES Convention and in the Red Book of the Union for Conservation of Nature.

The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the largest species of tiger and is one of the largest. He is able to survive in extreme conditions low temperatures and is not afraid of the chilling north wind. It has thicker fur than its southern counterparts, and on its belly there is a five-centimeter thick layer of fat that protects the animal from the cold.

The cat family has an elongated flexible body, a rounded head with very short ears, rather short legs and a long tail. The visual features of the Amur tiger are interesting. He sees colors well, unlike many other cats. And he sees better than a human, five times as much!

The Amur tiger is capable of running in the snow at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour.

The tiger's body length is from 2.7-3.8 meters, weight is from 160 to 270 kilograms. Body color is orange, with a white belly. Amur tigers are somewhat lighter than other species. Their lifespan is about 15 years.

Males usually live alone, and the “personal” territory of each of them can be up to 800 square kilometers. Females sometimes gather in groups.

Tigers can also communicate with each other. They greet each other with special sounds reminiscent of a growl. As a sign of friendliness, they may touch each other or rub their muzzles and sides.

Number and distribution

In 2012, one of the oldest predators on the planet, the 21-year-old Amur tiger Lyuty, died in the Khabarovsk Territory. Once upon a time, Russian and American doctors jointly performed a unique operation on Lyuty to restore his jaw.

In Russia, the distribution range of the Amur tiger is in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky territories, along the Ussuri and Amur rivers. Most of these animals are found in the Lazovsky district of the Primorsky Territory, in the foothills of the Sikhote-Alin. The total number of wild Amur tigers in Russia, according to research from 1996, is about 415 – 176 individuals (it is not possible to say more precisely how many individuals remain in the wild). About 450 more tigers are kept in various zoos around the world. The total number of Amur tigers is declining.

The Far Eastern leopard is the rarest large cat on the planet. This is the northernmost subspecies of leopard and the only one that has learned to live and hunt in the snow. This is the most peaceful subspecies of leopard and the only one that has signed a non-aggression pact with humans. But, unfortunately, this pact turned out to be one-sided. Our leopard never attacks a person, and a person remains a mortal threat to him.

According to the results of the last accounting, in 2018 on a specially protected natural area"Land of the Leopard" recorded 91 adult spotted predators and 22 kittens. A hundred years ago, these cats inhabited the entire Korean Peninsula and two provinces of China. Today, the range of the Far Eastern leopard is the south of Primorsky Krai and the northeast of China. For a long time Very few people knew about the existence of this unique animal in Russia, even in Primorye. Most were involved in the conservation of another rare cat, the Amur tiger, while since the 1980s, as a result of extermination, the number of the Far Eastern leopard has become critically low, amounting to only about 30 individuals. Thanks to government assistance and the work of environmental organizations, steps began to be taken to save the rare predator in the early 2000s. An important milestone was created in 2012 national park"Land of the Leopard" The first results of the work within the project inspire optimism - the number of leopards has begun to grow. The area of its range is expanding, going beyond the territory of Russia. However, for the safety of the population, its size must be at least 150 individuals. Currently, the Far Eastern leopard is still on the verge of extinction. Hunting for the Far Eastern leopard has been prohibited since 1956; the predator is included in the IUCN Red Book, the Red Book of Russia, as well as in a number of other protection documents. The lifespan of leopards in captivity reaches 20 years, in the wild - 10-15 years.

There are several reasons for the decrease in the range of the Far Eastern leopard: a reduction in the food supply as a result of economic development of forests and poaching of ungulates; hunting the predators themselves; destruction of habitats as a result of cutting down trees and forest fires. The leopard's flexible nature has allowed it to learn to live in close proximity to people. And although we give him a lot of trouble, he manages to exist in almost the most populated corner of Primorye, remaining an elusive ghost for the residents.

Despite the fact that leopards are predominantly introverted and would prefer their own to any company, courtship reveals their truly passionate nature. One spotted gentleman can show attention to several ladies at once. Expectant mother approaches the issue of parenthood with full responsibility, carefully arranging the nursery in scattered stones, caves or under rock overhangs. The leopardess stays in position for only 90 days, and then gives birth to two or three kittens. On the seventh to ninth day, the babies open their eyes, and at two weeks they actively explore the surrounding space, crawling around the nest. Tireless researchers give mom a lot of trouble in their quest to quickly understand the world. After a year, the adults leave their mother.

The Far Eastern leopard is significantly inferior in physical indicators to its brother, the Amur tiger. However, do not think that its lower weight and size make it a worse hunter. On the contrary, unlike the tiger, the spotted athlete is an excellent climber. He prefers to live on hills, mountain ridges, and hilltops. Such skills allow the leopard to avoid dangerous encounters with a tiger and stalk prey from afar. Conquerors of rocky slopes have keen eyesight. The Far Eastern leopard can spot potential prey from a distance of one and a half kilometers!

This is a swift and silent hunter with amazing hearing. This predator usually goes hunting an hour or two before sunset and hunts for the first half of the night, although sometimes it pursues prey during the day, especially on cloudy, cold days and in winter. The leopard feeds mainly on ungulates - sika deer and roe deer. One spotted roe deer or deer is enough for the Far Eastern leopard to live for 10 days. It is important that the rulers of the taiga lands are very careful owners. They never undermine the number of ungulates on their territory and kill only as many as they can eat. Leopards are excellent runners and swimmers. However, when hunting, they prefer to rely on their excellent camouflage and tracking skills.

The leopard is not a sedentary animal. He constantly walks around the area. Each leopard has its own habitat. They regularly walk around the perimeter and also visit certain places to leave your marks. The color of a leopard's skin depends on the time of year. In summer, the fur color acquires a brighter and more saturated shade, which at the same time perfectly camouflages the leopard. From the very birth of a leopard, spots on its skin, the so-called rosettes, form their own unique pattern, characteristic only of this animal. This pattern does not change throughout life, like human fingerprints. It is by these spots that scientists distinguish one individual from another. The powerful neck allows this cat to drag and lift prey weighing twice its own, and with the help long tail he can jump from a standstill to a height of up to 5 meters.

If the Far Eastern leopard sees people in the taiga, it skillfully hides from them. The study of the Far Eastern leopard is carried out only by non-contact methods - using camera traps and tracking tracks in the snow. Trapping of these rare cats is prohibited. Each leopard recorded by a camera trap is assigned an identification number, for example Leo 5F. In addition, leopards are given names. In the “Land of the Leopard” live such predators as Grace, Cleopatra, Lord and others.

Why is it important to preserve the Far Eastern leopard?

The Far Eastern leopard is an indicator of the state of the ecosystem. These cats live in unique nature southwest of Primorsky Krai, where the taiga meets the tropics. Local forests boast a wealth of flora and fauna. An ecosystem is a single, harmoniously operating mechanism. The loss of any seemingly insignificant link entails the most serious changes in the entire system. Therefore, saving as much as possible more animal species is an important task. Each species is unique and necessary for nature and man. If endangered species are not saved, the balance in natural environment. The healthy functioning of the entire ecosystem depends on the state of the spotted cat population, because it is predators who regulate the number of animals lower in the chain. For example, herbivores reproduce quite quickly and, in the absence of predators, can dramatically increase the population and create a huge load on vegetation, which will not be able to recover on its own. This will lead to a global food shortage and the extinction of all animals. And if the Far Eastern leopard feels comfortable and the population grows, the whole nature is healthy.

In years when the snow cover is high, roe deer and sika deer - animals that form the basis of the diet of the Far Eastern leopard - leave their habitats en masse. At such moments, people come to the aid of a predator in difficulty - the staff of the national park organize feeding stations for the ungulates so that they do not starve and do not allow the predators to starve.

Leopardesses prefer tiny caves with a reliable security system to spacious apartments: the entrance to their home is so narrow that only the owner can enter it. This factor is especially important during the period of birth of spotted babies. Best areas for living from the leopard's point of view - hills with rocky slopes and areas with rugged terrain. At the same time, Far Eastern leopards, like Amur tigers, are similar to domestic cats, and they, in turn, are like us - we all love to lie in a cozy place with beautiful views.

The hunting of the Far Eastern leopard is of particular interest to researchers. Conventionally, this process can be divided into four stages: searching for a victim, hiding, throwing and fighting. Despite the habit constant movement The leopard is not susceptible to current sporting trends and is not inclined to run a marathon again. Therefore, he does not chase prey for a long time.

But a skilled spotted tracker can sneak up to a prey at a distance of up to five meters, and then overtake it in several jumps and crush it. Silently approaching an unsuspecting prey is called stealth: on bent paws, a cautious predator half-crawls its way to potential prey, using natural shelters. Moreover, in winter, from its tracks in the snow, you can trace the whole picture of the hunt: it is noticeable how the steps become smaller, how tense before the throw, gathered into an elastic spring, the leopard crawls with its belly through the snow, as close to the ground as possible.

The rugged terrain of the territory trained the leopard to become a true strategist and master of tactical actions. While the future meal should not guess its sad fate, its owner cannot lose sight of the goal. That is, it is necessary to simultaneously remain invisible and have good review. Therefore, the genius of natural camouflage bypasses its target in such a way that the wind blows in the opposite direction from it and the victim cannot sense the approaching danger. However, luck plays a significant role in good hunting. Often even armed with skills, abilities and innate instincts the predator has to work hard to provide himself with a worthwhile feast.