All you need to know about Sri Lankan leopards
The leopard (Panthera pardus) is the smallest of the four great predatory cat species in the genus Panthera. Despite their smaller size, they are fully capable of taking enormous prey due to their massive skulls, which facilitate powerful jaw muscles. The Ceylon leopard or Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is a subspecies of the genus Panthera pardus.
While the Sri Lankan leopards can be found in many national parks throughout the country, Yala and Wilpattu are said to have the highest densities of the species. According to research conducted in Block 1 of the Yala National Park, the habitat has a leopard diversity of one leopard per square kilometer. To the fact that Yala is said to have the highest density of leopard population in the world and the area is thought to be home to 100 to 125 Sri Lankan leopards. Even though a sighting of a leopard can never be guaranteed, the chance of seeing one in Sri Lanka is quite guaranteed
Scientific Classification
| Lavel | Name |
|---|---|
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Mammalia |
Order | Carnivora |
Suborder | Feliformia |
Family | Felidae |
Subfamily | Pantherinae |
Genus | Panthera |
Species | P. pardus |
Subspecies | P. P. kotiya |
Sri Lankan Leopard Facts
- Distribution – Arid Zone , Dry Zone and Wet Zone
- Sexual maturity – around 2.5 – 3 years
- Gestation Period – 95 to 105 days
- Litter size – 1-3 cubs
- Separation of cubs from mother – around 20-30 months
- Life Span – around 12 – 15 years in wild
- Weight – Male average 60 kg and Female average 35 kg
Social interactions and behaviours
Leopards can be classified according on their behaviors and social interactions. Leopards that are spotted in a certain location can be either residents or transients. Overlapping home ranges are often found in a single habitat with more than one leopards. Males may have home ranges overlapping with one other male and few females.
- Residents leopards are individuals that have established home ranges and are sexually active. While home range refers to a bigger area, territory is the center of the same area.
- Transient leopards are individuals that may occupy a territory for a few days or even weeks but have not claimed possession. Transients are mostly young male cubs looking for their own territory.
The act of establishing ownership is mainly achieved through scent spraying, scraping, and vocalizations. Leopard scents, while useful for marking territory and maintaining a solitary existence, are also important signs of mating readiness. Such indications are used by females to indicate different stages of their estrous cycle.
Hunting & Feeding patterns
Sri Lankan leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) hold a prominent position in the food chain within their ecosystem. As apex predators, they are at the top of the food chain in the areas where they reside. This means that they have no natural predators and play a crucial role in regulating the population of their prey species, which in turn affects the balance of the entire ecosystem.
An adult leopard kills at least one animal per week, preferably more. The Sri Lankan leopard consumes a wide range of prey, including frogs, small mammals, and even larger mammals such as spotted deer. Leopards do not hunt elephants or mature buffalos in Sri Lanka.
Leopards’ main hunting method is to silently sneak near to their prey through the thick grass and brush that serves as camouflage. This is followed by a run and a leap, allowing the leopard to lock its jaws around the prey’s neck. The leopard will then eat on the hunt for 20 minutes to an hour on one occasion and return to it several times throughout the day.
Leopards are known to drag their prey to areas that scavengers cannot reach in some environments. Because scavenger populations are limited in Sri Lanka, this behavior is uncommon among sri lankan leopards. Furthermore, because of the large amount of food they can find around, leopards often prefer to perform another hunt rather than waste energy to protect one.
Unique Behavior and Adaptations
leopards showcase fascinating behavioral traits and adaptations. Their solitary nature sets them apart from other big cats, and they are known for their exceptional climbing abilities. This enables them to rest in trees during the day and pounce on unsuspecting prey from elevated positions.
Sri Lankan Leopards can be regarded as the king of the Sri Lankan Jungles as they don’t have any rivals like Lions or Tigers in Sri Lanka. Leopards in Sri Lanka grow bigger than leopards in other nations, such as those in Africa and India, and they don’t enjoy climbing trees very much since they don’t have to protect there hunt from lions or Hyenas. Not like leopards in Africa, Sri Lankan leopards can even be seen roaming freely at night in the jungles rather than resting on a tree.
Lenama koti, Man Eaters in Sri Lanka
It is extremely unusual for a leopard to attack a human. If they are in the same territory at the same time, they usually avoid human confrontation. But According to a legend, Lenama leopards, crossbreeds of Sri Lankan leopards and Indian tigers are renowned as man eaters in Sri Lanka.
According to The legend, the Lenama or Panama Leopards were much larger, with wider and larger heads. The rumoured presence of a stripe or two along the neck of these legendary leopards is a very interesting trait. In contrast, the fur was a dark tawny orange colour without any visible spots.
Where to See Leopards in Sri Lanka
According to research conducted by WWCT Leopards are most frequently seen in dry zone evergreen national parks such as Yala, Lunugamwehera, Weheragala, Kumana Udawalawe, and Wanni Jungles and the the central hilllands like Knuckles, Horton Plains National Park, Dikoya, Hatton, Nanuoya, Ohiya and. and also limited number of Sri Lankan Leopards can be seen in the lowland wet zones like Sinharaja forest.
Top 5 National Parks in Sri Lanka to See Leopards
- Yala National park
- Kumana National Park
- Wilpattu national Park
- Horton Plains National park
- Udawalawe National Park
Leopards in Yala National Park
While the Sri Lankan leopards can be found in many national parks throughout the country, Yala and Wilpattu are said to have the highest densities of the species. According to research conducted in Block 1 of the Yala National Park, the habitat has a leopard diversity of one leopard per square kilometer. To the fact that Yala is said to have the highest density of leopard population in the world and the area is thought to be home to 100 to 125 Sri Lankan leopards. Even though a sighting of a leopard can never be guaranteed, the chance of seeing one in Sri Lanka is quite guaranteed
Yala Leopard Center
On June 26, 2020, the Department of Wildlife Conservation received the keys to the Yala Leopard Center in Yala National Park. The center’s goals are to aid the DWC in improving leopard conservation and educating the public on leopard behavior in Yala National Park.
The Center is housed in two adjacent buildings known as Whiskers Wing and Rosettes Wing. Whiskers Wing displays a collection of photos of Leopard Behaviors, a digital touch screen that displays information such as leopard identification and other data from the Yala National Park and numerous research articles on leopards. Rosettes Wing has information panels containing videos of Leopards
Some of the famous Leopards in Yala National Park
Hamu
Sherlock
Julius
Aster
Strawberry
Hope
Image courtesy of Yala Leopard Diary
The Melanistic Leopard AKA Black leopard
The black leopard, also known as a melanistic leopard, is a variant of the common leopard (Panthera pardus). Unlike the typical golden-yellow coat of a leopard, the melanistic individuals boast a dark, charcoal-black coat, which is a result of a genetic mutation that causes an excess of dark pigments. These Melanistic sights have been recorded most recently in Yala National Park and if you extremely lucky there is a chance you can see the black leopard recorded in Yala National Park.
Cat Species found in Sri Lanka other than Leopards
- Jugle cat
- Fishing cat
- Rusty Spotted cat
History of the Sri Lankan Leopard: The Best Documentary
FAQs
1. Are leopards endangered in Sri Lanka?
- No, the Sri Lankan leopard is not classified as endangered, but it is listed as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and other threats.
2. Do leopards attack humans in Sri Lanka?
- While leopards generally avoid interactions with humans, incidents of attacks are exceptionally rare.
3. What is the estimated leopard population in Sri Lanka?
- The exact leopard population in Sri Lanka is challenging to determine, but according to the IUCN, estimates suggest there are around 700-950 individuals on the island.
Top 5 Leopard Safaris in Sri Lanka
- Kulu Safari
- Camp Leopard Yala
- Mahoora Safari
- Leopard Trails
- Leopard Safaris Yala
Challenges and threats that impact leopards in Sri Lanka
- Habitat Loss: One of the primary threats to leopards in Sri Lanka is habitat loss due to human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion. As human populations grow and encroach upon natural habitats, the available space for leopards to roam and find food diminishes, leading to conflicts with humans and a decline in their population.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: Leopards sometimes come into conflict with humans when they venture into villages or farmlands in search of food, mainly due to habitat loss and shrinking prey base. These conflicts can result in attacks on livestock or, in rare cases, pose a danger to human safety. In response, communities may resort to retaliatory killings, which further threaten the leopard population.
- Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: Leopards are sometimes targeted by poachers for their skin, bones, and other body parts, which are illegally traded in the wildlife market. These illegal activities pose a significant threat to the survival of leopards in Sri Lanka.
Regardless, The total population of Sri Lankan leopard is uncertain. it is commonly believed that their numbers have declined dramatically due to hunting, poaching, and habitat destruction. Despite the fact that the species is legally protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of 1983, poaching is still prevalent in most areas of the country. So its over responsibility to protect this one of the most captivating animals in the world.
Image courtesy of Ankur Panchbudhe Thimindu Goonatillake via creative commons licenses. some rights reserved.
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