Leopards have a wide ranging habitat and are found all around India (except the arid regions).
Leopards are highly adaptable and are often sighted near rural and urban settlements.
Leopards are versatile hunters and survive on a variety of prey (Cheetal, Sambar and species of Langur). The leopards in Jhalana are often sighted preying on blue bull, cheetal, sambar, langur and some stray dogs found in Jaipur.
Since leopards spend most of the day sleeping, they are primarily nocturnal animals. The dead of night is when they usually hunt, mark their territory, and ambush their prey.
Leopards are considered to be one of the strongest mammals, they have often been seen carrying prey twice its own weight up a tree!
Leopards have an ability to run at the speed of 58 KMPH, an average city car speed limit.
Leopards are at the top of the food chain and the main predator in forests like Jhalana. The striped hyena and the leopards do, however, constantly compete for territory and prey. The ability to climb trees helps leopards avoid hyenas, which can bite with great force due to their strong jaw structure.
Leopards have a yellow fur coat with black rosettes which is a perfect camouflage for dappled light on a tree top. The rosettes are unique to each individual leopard and are identified by these unique patterns.
Adult leopards have stable territories that occasionally overlap with those of other cats. Scat deposition, vegetation spraying, and ground scraping are used for demarcation.
Adults tend to be solitary, however they may associate when mating. The "Oestrus Period" is the name given to this period of mating, which typically lasts 7 to 10 days.
For their first 18 to 20 months, cubs stay with their mothers. They will practise stalking, chasing, and other hunting techniques during this period.
When male cubs mature, older or stronger males typically force them out of their area. Female cubs however have been known to establish their domain inside that of their mothers.
Jhalana Reserve Park Positioning:
Jhalana Leopard Reserve lies at the south-eastern part of the capital city , Jaipur. The total area of Jhalana is 23 sq kms. The Aravali range runs from top to bottom in the forest. Jhalana is nestled between two hill ranges of the Aravali that run from the north to the south. Another hill range in the centre of Jhalana divides it into two distinct parts. Jhalana is a dry deciduous forest and the trees mostly shed their leaves during the dry season and are luscious green during monsoons.
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