i 3 o THE INDIAN FAUNA 



the nose to the tip of the tail, varies between 5 and 8 feet. The average height 

 at the shoulder is about 24 inches, and the tail varies between three-quarters and 

 half the length of the body. 



On the head and upper part of the body the fur is generally close and short, 

 but below it is longer. The length of the fur varies with the climate ; in the 

 colder parts of the leopard's habitat, for instance, it is longer than elsewhere. 



The general colouring of the upper-parts varies between reddish yellow and 

 yellowish white, or pale brownish yellow, being sometimes darker and sometimes 

 lighter; the lower-parts are usually white. The whole body is marked with 

 circles or rosettes of unequal size. On the back these spots generally form black, 

 irregular rings, which surround lighter or darker spots of the ground-colour, while 

 the spots on the head, the lower ends of the extremities, and the sides are brownish, 

 solid, and smaller. The greater part of the tail is also spotted, but the spots near 

 the end are larger and fewer. Young leopards are brownish, and their marking 

 is less distinct. The coloration varies from that of the ordinary character through 

 all the intermediate shades up to that of the black phase, which was formerly 

 regarded as a separate species, although it is not even a distinct race. It is just 

 analogous to a black domesticated cat, the parents being often of the ordinary 

 colour, while black and spotted cubs may be met with in the same litter. In black 

 leopards the rings and spots are distinctly visible in certain lights. 



There are several distinct local races of the leopard, and even in India there 

 are two forms distinguished by their size, the larger of these being the typical 

 representative of the species. In Persia, and perhaps Kashmir, occurs a race 

 (F. pardus panthera) somewhat approaching the snow-leopard in the bushiness 

 of its tail and longer hair. The Manchurian leopard (F. pardus fontanieri) is 

 perhaps the most distinct of all. But African leopards are also distinguishable in 

 colour from the Indian animal, and form several distinct races. Even in India 

 leopards vary considerably in colour, according as to whether they inhabit dark 

 and damp forests or deserts, so that sub-races may perhaps be recognised. This, 

 however, is not a subject which need be 4 arther discussed here ; the main point 

 to bear in mind is that all these varieties form but a single species. The leopard 

 is thus an inhabitant of the whole of Asia, from the Caucasus to Amurland, and it 

 is likewise found almost throughout Africa, so that it is one of the most widely 

 distributed of all large animals. 



In habits this cat differs very markedly from both the tiger and the lion, being 

 much more agile, and capable of climbing vertical and smooth stems with the 

 quickness of a monkey. It can also jump a considerable distance from the ground ; 

 and although it likes wetting its feet as little as the domesticated cat, and often 

 inhabits mountainous country without water, it swims when necessary without 

 hesitation and just as well as the tiger. 



The favourite haunts of the Indian leopard are rocky mountains covered with 

 dense forests, where it hides in caves, or among projecting ledges, in order to survey 

 the surrounding country at sunset. Its usual tactics are to cut off, with surprising 

 quickness and stealthiness, any animal grazing apart from the herd of its 

 companions. Wherever it may live, it knows how to hide in an almost 

 miraculous way, owing to its spotted fur blending so well with the background. 



