The Amur Leopard

The Amur leopard may have one of the saddest stories of all wildcats. This cat is critically endangered - there are only an estimated 35 Amur leopards left, and probably even fewer now. This cat is being hunted for its hide, like many other cats including jaguars, other leopards, cheetahs and more. Its habitat is also being threatened by forest fires and construction. 

The Amur leopard can be found in snowy areas along the Amur River in Eastern Russia and Northern China, but they are extremely rare. They have large paws that work like snowshoes to help them walk on the snow. It is very cold here, so they have soft, dense, light-colored fur to keep it warm and help it camouflage in the snow. The camouflage helps them to hunt prey including deer, boars and rabbits. These cats measure 6 to 7 feet long, and males are typically larger than females. Its scientific name is Panthera Pardus Orientalis. 

To help protect this amazing cat, the area where the Amur leopard can be found has been made into a wildlife refuge called Land of the Leopard National Park. The Colchester Zoo in England has a real Amur leopard - cool, huh?   

Cool Fact: The Siberian tiger is sometimes called the Amur tiger because it can be found in the same area. There is also the Amur leopard cat, which is also found in the same area, but is much smaller.