Leopards

Welcome to the leopards exhibit. This exhibit features two kinds of leopards: the Snow leopard and the Amur leopard. The exhibit has two sides with a species of leopard on each side. Our leopards are separated since they are solitary, meaning they like to live alone. Both exhibits have elevated rocks to climb on, spruce trees and lower rocky terrain to explore. Each exhibit also has hiding places for the leopards to move out of visitor view. Guests can walk up to a wooden railing in front of the metal netting that fully covers the exhibit. In most cases, unless there is a mother with cubs, there is only one leopard on each side.

The exhibits for each leopard mimic their habitat in the wild. Leopards are excellent climbers, able to climb both mountainsides and trees. Throughout the exhibits the high rocks and trees give the leopards a chance to show off their climbing skills.

On the left side of the exhibit lives our Snow leopard. Snow leopards are large cats but not as big as tigers or lions. They can weigh 60 to 120 pounds and reach 4 feet long without their tail, about the length of four cereal boxes lined up. Their tail can grow just as long as their body, another 4 feet.

Snow leopards are covered in thick fur up to 5 inches long. Their fur is patterned with gray and black rosettes which help camouflage them and keep them warm in their mountainous habitat. Along with thick fur, snow leopards have other adaptations to survive in the snow and cold. Their large furry paws act like snowshoes to keep them from sinking. Their long tail provides balance on cliffs and trees but can also wrap around their body for warmth, especially their face.

Snow leopards live across 12 countries in central Asia, including the Himalayas. Much of their habitat is mountainous but they can also live at lower elevations. The Snow leopard at the Zoo is often found on top of the large central rock in its exhibit. This rock can be heated or cooled to keep the leopard comfortable throughout the seasons. In the wild, Snow leopards are strict carnivores and excellent hunters, capable of leaping up to 20 feet in the air, about as tall as a two-story house, and 50 feet horizontally, about as long as five cars parked end to end. At the Zoo, they are fed a variety of meats and bones.

To help protect this species, the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Snow leopards. The SSP is a breeding program within AZA-accredited zoos with the goal of maintaining a healthy and genetically diverse population for threatened and endangered species.

On the right side of the exhibit lives our Amur leopard. Amur leopards can weigh between 60 and 110 pounds and grow about 4 feet long. Their tail is usually 2 to 3 feet long.

Amur leopards are the most northern leopard subspecies, living in the Russian Far East and Northeastern China. Because of this, much of their habitat is cold and their fur is very thick. Their coat is tan and brown with rosette spots, helping them blend into the mountain forest. Like most leopards, Amur leopards are excellent climbers. Their strong legs and clawed feet allow them to climb high into trees. Sometimes they even drag their prey into trees to keep it safe from scavengers. Amur leopards eat deer, hares, wild boar and birds. At the Zoo our leopard is often found on top of its rocky hill. There are also trees to climb just like in the wild. Our leopard is fed a variety of meats and given different enrichment items such as large balls, giant plastic pickles and pumpkins. These encourage play and exercise the animal’s mind.

The Amur leopard is the most critically endangered big cat in the world with fewer than 100 individuals believed to remain in the wild. Habitat loss due to logging and development, along with illegal poaching of leopards and their prey, are the main threats to this species.

Conservationists around the world, including those at the Toledo Zoo, are working together to save the Amur leopard.