Signs Of Big Cats

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The leopard track appears as a typical cat’s ‘pug mark’ with four clear toe pads. No claws show unless the animal is running or trying to gain traction. Three typical lobes can be found on the back (main) pad of the animal. Front track is broader but slightly shorter than the hind track. The track sequence is typical of the cats – with it registering (hind foot on top of front foot) when the animal is walking slowly or stalking. Leopards are by far the most difficult animal to track. They tread very lightly, they are solitary, and they move in unpredictable directions – particularly when hunting.

 Leopard scat can vary in color, appearing in different shades of brown, but it can turn white when exposed to sunlight due to the calcium content from bones. This scat typically contains a significant amount of hair, bone fragments, teeth, quills, hooves, and footpads from the prey. It can be either segmented or one solid piece, with segments featuring either blunt ends or one tapered end. Leopards often choose visible spots for defecation, such as on top of grass tufts or low bushes near trails. 

 Leopards scratch trees to create claw marks and deposit secretions from glands located between their toes. These secretions contain chemical signals that notify other leopards of their presence in the area. Scratching trees also helps leopards remove worn parts of their claw sheaths. Additionally, big cats use claw marks on trees as territorial markers. 

The picture above shows the difference between dog and cat prints. The blue and red circles represent claw marks. The 'X' through the prints shows that it's not necessarily indicative of a dog print if you CAN NOT fit the 'X' through (ie, the X doesn't always fit in a dog print)

 Leopards have a distinctive, deep, guttural rasping call that is often compared to the sound of sawing wood. Both males and females vocalize in this manner, which can serve dual purposes: as a mating call to attract the opposite sex, or as a territorial call to warn individuals of the same sex to keep their distance. Generally, female leopards' calls are longer and higher in frequency than those of males. In addition to their rasping call, leopards can produce a variety of sounds, including growls, snarls, meows, purrs, and hisses. They also greet each other with a friendly sound known as chuffing or huffing, and each leopard has its own unique call. 

Leopards kill their prey by biting the throat or nape of the neck causing rapid blood loss and even breaking the neck. 

Leopards may leave claw marks on the shoulders and rump of larger prey. Leopards pluck the fur of their prey before eating it, and may drag their prey to a new location, such as up a tree, under bushes, or partially covered with soil. 

Prey will usually be eaten on the inside of the hindlegs, shoulders, and hindquarters first. They may also chew the rib ends, and in smaller prey, they may eat the long bones in the legs. Leopards may remove the intestines, but leave them intact. Leopards are scavengers and may also consume dead animals.