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Mary Kingsley: Explorer - EnchantedLearning.com

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Mary Henrietta Kingsley (1862-1900) as a British explorer who made pioneering trips to West and Central Africa.

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"the African leopard is an audacious animal, although it is ungrateful of me to say a word against him, after the way he has let me off personally ... taken as a whole, he is the most lovely animal I have ever seen; only seeing him, in the one way you can gain a full idea of his beauty, namely in his native forest, is not an unmixed joy to a person, like myself, of a nervous disposition."

Mary Kingsley

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They're fierce, fast and fur-ocious - join National Geographic Kids as we check out these amazing leopard facts!

Leopard facts

1. Most leopards are light coloured and have dark spots on their fur. These spots are called " rosettes" because their shape is similar to that of a rose. There are also black leopards, too, whose spots are hard to see because their fur is so dark.

2. Leopards can be found in various places around the world - they live in Sub-Saharan Africa, northeast Africa, Central Asia, India and China.

3. Leopards are fast felines and can run at up to 58km/h! They're super springy, too, and can leap 6m forward through the air - that's the length of three adults lying head to toe!

4. Leopards are very solitary and spend most of their time alone. They each have their own territory, and leave scratches on trees, urine scent marks and poop to warn other leopards to stay away! Males and females will cross territories, but only to mate.

5. These big cats have a varied diet and enjoy different kinds of grub. They eat bugs, fish, antelope, monkeys, rodents, deer...in fact, pretty much any prey that is available!

6. Leopards are skilled climbers, and like to rest in the branches of trees during the day. They are strong beasts, too, and can carry their heavy prey up into the trees so that pesky scavengers, such as hyenas, don't steal their meal!

7. Nocturnal animals, leopards are active at night when they venture out in search for food. They mostly spend their days resting, camouflaged in the trees or hiding in caves.

8. When it comes to hunting for food, these big cats know their stuff! When a leopard spots a potential meal, it approaches with legs bent and head low, so as not to be seen. It then stalks its prey carefully and quietly, until it's five to ten metres within range. Then.... pounce! The leopard dashes forward and takes down its victim with a bite to the throat or neck. Small prey, such as small birds or mice, will receive a fatal blow from the feline's paw. Ouch!

9. Female leopards give birth any time of the year - when they do, they usually give birth to two or three cubs. Mothers stay with their cubs until they are about two years old, when they are old enough to hunt and take care of themselves.

10. Leopards communicate with each other through distinctive calls. For instance, when a male wants to make another leopard aware of his presence, he'll make a hoarse, raspy cough. They also growl when angry and, like domestic cats, purr when happy and relaxed. Cute, eh?

Love reading about big cats? Then be sure to check out our other fab feline features...

Images ⓒ Getty Images

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10 leopard facts! - National Geographic Kids

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They're fierce, fast and fur-ocious - join National Geographic Kids as we check out these amazing leopard facts! 1. Most leopards are light coloured and have dark spots on their fur. These spots are called " rosettes" because their shape is similar to that of a rose.