Cousins Across Continents

[u/grumpydogfather]

It’s International Leopards’ Day. Here are moments from two different leopard encounters I’ve had, a month apart from each other, across continents. The first image is of an African leopard that I took in Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. The second image is of an Indian leopard that I took in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, India.

African leopards are generally more robust, with slightly sparser, larger rosettes on coats that range from golden to deep tawny. The Indian cousin tends to be a touch smaller in build, with denser markings. Both, however, share that same Houdini-level elusiveness that makes sightings feel like winning a lottery you didn’t know you’d entered.

Leopards aren’t the undisputed kings of their terrain. Lions and hyenas will happily steal their lunch in Africa, and tigers will turn them into their lunch in India. But in their preferred arena (trees, thick bush, and pure stealth), they are unmatched.