The Leopard energy requirements are very comparable to the Snow Leopard energy requirements as they have similar hunting patterns, breeding patterns and litter sizes (13), (16). Maintenance:Basal Metabolic Rate = 70* BW^0.75 Basal Metabolic Rate = 70*70kg^0.75 Basal Metabolic Rate = 1694.03 kcal/day Daily Energy Exposure = 2.3*BMR Daily Energy Exposure = 2.3*1694.03 Daily Energy Exposure = 3896.27 Growth:Birth: 250 kcal/BWkg/day 4 months: up to 50% adult BW = 3.0 X RER or 175 kcal/BWkg/day 6 months: 50-70 % adult BW = 2.5 x RER or 135 kcal/BWkg/day 9 months: 70-100% adult BW = 2 x RER or 100 kcal/BWkg/day Reproduction:Breeding Male = 1.4 to 1.6 x RER Breeding Female = 1.6 x RER or 90 to 110 kcal/BWkg/day ME Gestation = 1.6 to 2.0 x RER Lactation = 2.0 to 6.0 x RER or 115 to 250 kcal/BWkg ME as compared to the domestic cat (1). Food Requirements:The Leopard requires between 1.6 and 4.9 kg of meat per day in order to meet energy requirements for maintenance, growth and reproduction (7). |
Top: (Richard Du Toit, www.arkive.org), Middle: (Laurent Geslin, www.arkive.org) Bottom: (Anup Shah, www.arkive.org)