You might have heard that leopards are fast runners, but just how fast can these big cats go? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top speeds of leopards and how they use their speed to hunt and survive in the wild.
How Fast Can a Leopard Run?
Leopards are known for their speed and agility, and they are capable of reaching impressive top speeds when they need to. According to various sources, leopards can run at speeds ranging from 30-56 mph (48-90 km/h) with an average speed of 58 km/h.
While these top speeds might not be as fast as some other big cats, such as cheetahs which can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (113 km/h), leopards are still incredibly fast runners. In fact, their speed and power make them some of the greatest predators on the African savannah.
Do Leopards Use Speed for Hunting?
It’s important to note that leopards don’t rely solely on speed to catch their prey. In fact, many of their prey animals are faster than they are. Instead of chasing down their prey, leopards use their stealth and cunning to stalk and ambush their prey.
This means that leopards often use their speed in short bursts, rather than maintaining it over longer distances. They are able to burst into action when the opportunity presents itself, and this sudden burst of speed can be enough to catch their prey off guard.
Leopards are skilled climbers, no other big cat can match the leopard’s ability to climb trees. This is another way that they can catch their prey, using the ambush method.
They also use this skill to escape danger, climbing up into a tree and hiding until the threat has passed by.
Are Leopards Faster than Lions?
Although lions can run pretty fast at short bursts, leopards are faster over a longer distance. Leopards are able to run around 58km/h (36mph), while lions can only manage 50km/h (31mph).
The difference between these two animals is not great, but it does mean that leopards are better suited for hunting in open spaces than lions are.
Factors Affecting Leopards Average Speed
There are a few things that affect how fast a leopards run these includes:
Age:
The younger the leopard is, the faster it will be able to run. When they are young, they are full of energy and have not yet developed their adult body shape. As they get older, this slows them down a lot.
Weight:
The heavier a leopard is, the slower it will be able to run. This is because they have more weight to carry around and this makes them less agile than lighter animals.
Overall Wellbeing:
If a leopard is sick, injured, or otherwise unwell, it won’t be able to run as fast as it would if they were well. This is because their body will have to use more of their energy just to function properly and this makes it harder for them to move around quickly.
How Do Leopards Survive?
Running to the nearest tall tree is one of the ways leopards survive. Their fast reflexes and quick reactions help them to avoid danger, and their speed allows them to flee from potential threats.
Leopards are also skilled climbers and are able to use trees to escape danger.
They will often drag their prey up into the trees to protect it from scavengers, and they will also use trees as a safe haven when they need to.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, leopards are fast runners and are capable of reaching top speeds of 30-56 mph (48-90 km/h). While their top speeds might not be as fast as some other big cats, leopards use their speed and stealth to hunt and survive in the wild.
Lydia King is a huge animal lover and has always been fascinated with learning about the animal kingdom. She enjoys writing about anything animal related from scientific information about rare species to animal references in pop culture.
