Leopard
in zoölogy, Felis pardus, sometimes called the panther "the pard" of the Elizabethan writers. It has been known from early historical times , and has a wide geographical range, be ing found throughout the African continent, the whole of the S. of Asia, and in Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo.
It ranks third in importance in the family Felidæ; varying in length from 3½- LEOPARD 4½ feet; tail measurement 2½-3 feet, height at shoulder about 30 inches, but larger and smaller specimens have been met with. Color, pale fawn to rufousbuff, thickly studded with dark rosetteshaped spots. The leopard is fierce and blood-thirsty, often killing far more than it can devour, either from love of slaughter or for the sake of fresh blood.