The subject is the world around, the theme is animals listed in the Red Book of Russia, grades 3-4.

We offer you a selection of materials for self-study messages or short story around the world in grades 3-4 on the topic "Animals of the Red Book of Russia - the Far Eastern (Amur) leopard.

LEOPARD (PANTHERA PARDUS)
Kingdom: animals (Animalia).
Type: chordates (Chordata).
Class: mammals (Mammalia).
Order: predatory (Carnivora).
Family: cats (Felidae).
Genus: panthers (Panthera).
Species: leopard ( Panthera pardus).
Subspecies: Western Asian (ciscaucasicus), Far Eastern (orientalis).

Far Eastern leopard, or amur leopard- predatory mammal from the cat family, one of the subspecies of the leopard. The body length is 107-136 cm. The weight of males is up to 50 kg, females - up to 42.5 kg. Distributed in the area of ​​mountain coniferous-broad-leaved and oak forests of the Far East, in the border area of ​​three countries - Russia, China and North Korea.

Leopards are in serious danger. Listed in the Red Book of Russia and has the first conservation status. This means that this species is threatened with extinction from the wild, the number has decreased to a critical level, and the range has been greatly reduced.

Why is it listed in the Red Book

Even at the beginning of the last century, this panther could often be found in many areas of the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories. The modern fauna of Russia includes two subspecies of the leopard - the Western Asian (Panthera pardus ciscaucasicus) and the Far Eastern (Panthera pardus orientalis). Both are disappearing. In the 20th century, when the process of mass economic development of the Far East and Siberia began, the area of ​​natural habitats suitable for many animals was sharply reduced. The leopard was no exception. In the last 20 years alone, the range of this animal has almost halved. According to Russian branch WWF, about 30 individuals live in Primorye today.

Two-month-old baby leopard looks like a normal kitten

habitat

The Far Eastern subspecies can only be found in the extreme southwest of Primorsky Krai, where a tiny population of this animal remains. Mountainous areas with centuries-old deciduous forests- a favorite habitat of the Far Eastern leopard.

In Southern Primorye, the leopard keeps to low mountains with broad-leaved forests of the Manchurian type and coniferous-broad-leaved forests there,
where there is no deep snow in winter. The leopard feeds on various types of ungulates, hares, pheasants, and sometimes attacks young white-breasted bears. Among its natural enemies, Amur tigers and gray wolves are in the first place.

The zone of life of the leopard is forested, heavily dissected mountain areas with narrow watershed ridges and steep slopes, ridges with rocky outcrops up to altitudes of 300-500 m above sea level. High in the mountains, especially in winter, the leopard does not climb. Staying even at altitudes of 650-700 m is not quite usual. Random felling of conifers, as well as mature oak and ash, accompanied by the laying of new roads and facilitating access to the most remote and best lands, causes a steady reduction in places suitable for the Amur leopard.

The list of dietary species of the Far Eastern leopard includes 25 items, but the stability and well-being of the population is determined by two species: roe deer and spotted deer. A number of species, such as badger, raccoon dog and Manchurian hare, are of minor importance in the diet of the leopard, but in years of declining populations of roe deer and sika deer, caused by snowy winters, can play a key role in its survival.

Lifestyle and biology

The leopard remains a typical cat that walks by itself. He prefers to hunt at night and always alone. The area of ​​an individual site can reach 400 km2, but if bioresources are limited, it can be much less. The leopard always hunts from ambush, often hiding in the canopy of trees, and when there is no prey nearby, it can simply rest for a while. If the ambush jump fails, the leopard does not pursue the fleeing game.

Young leopards become independent about 2.5 years after birth. In nutrition, this predator prefers ungulates. But he will not refuse foxes, wolves, various rodents and even reptiles. Leopards can also eat domestic animals, mainly dogs and sheep. IN wild nature animals live for about 10–12 years, and in captivity they can reach 21 years of age.

This is interesting

In former times, it was believed that the leopard is a hybrid of a lion and a panther, and the name of the animal comes from two words: leon - "lion" and pardos - "panther". However, it is not. After all, a leopard and a panther are representatives of the same species. But already hybrids of a leopard and other felines are a reality. By the way, the black panther and the spotted leopard are the same animal. Just a panther is a melanistic leopard that is found only in Southeast Asia.

According to the analysis of fossil remains, the first ancestor of the leopard appeared about 3.8 million years ago.

How to find out

This member of the subfamily big cats really has an impressive size. Depending on the habitat and some individual characteristics, the body length and weight of leopards can vary significantly. In Russia, the body length of the animal, excluding the tail, ranges from 90 to 190 cm, and the weight of males is from 60 to 80 kg.

Predators that inhabit forests are usually smaller and lighter. The language of the leopard is interesting. Its entire surface is covered with tubercles with keratinized epithelium: they perfectly help the predator to separate the meat from the bones of the prey. The tongue also serves the animal for washing.

And of course, the “fur coat” of the leopard looks just amazing! Saturated shades of yellow - from straw-gray to reddish-brown - in which thick fur is dyed, and the natural grace of the panther leave an unforgettable impression.

The number of East Siberian leopards in our country is extremely low. In the 80s. 20th century on Far East there were only 20-25 permanently living leopards and about 20 cases of animals entering from the territory of China and Korea.

Currently, the Far Eastern leopard is on the verge of extinction. This is the rarest of the leopard subspecies: as of February 2015, 57 individuals remained in the wild in the territory. national park"Land of the Leopard" and 8 to 12 in China.

The decrease in the number of animals and the reduction in the range is associated not only with direct persecution by humans, but also with a decrease in the number of ungulates that the leopard feeds on. A negative role is played by the intensive economic development of its habitat. The East Siberian leopard is included in the IUCN-96 Red List and Appendix I of the CITES Convention.

The Far Eastern leopard is protected in the Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve. Specially for the protection of the leopard in 1979, the reserve of republican significance Barsovy was created, however, there are 2 active military training grounds on its territory and intensive economic activity. In 1996, the Borisovskoye plateau, a reserve of regional significance, was organized, partially covering the peripheral part of the leopard habitat, and it plays a very relative role in the conservation of the species.

Priority steps to save the Far Eastern leopard should include the organization of effective protection of the reserve, wildlife sanctuaries and hunting grounds located in the range of the leopard, the prohibition of the use of traps, hunting for ungulates with packs of dogs in the habitats of the leopard.

Improving the network and increasing the effectiveness of specially protected natural areas should be considered as the most reliable method of protecting the Far Eastern leopard. It is kept and breeds well in captivity, however, there are only about 10 purebred individuals of the Far Eastern subspecies, it is necessary to conduct breeding work.

The Far Eastern leopard, also known as the Amur, East Siberian, Manchurian leopard or leopard, is enough large mammal belonging to the cat family and to the class of predators.

Today, the animal is on the verge of extinction and has an extremely limited habitat, and most of it is located in the Russian Federation.

Description

This animal is the rarest subspecies of the panther family. In Latin, its name sounds like Panthera pardus orientalis- this is how the beast is called in international determinants.

The animal is different enough big size(body up to 136 cm in length, and weight up to 50 kg) and leads a secretive, twilight lifestyle. Every year, the habitat of this magnificent predator is reduced, which is associated with the expansion of human possessions: the construction of highways, logging and hunting for potential animal food.

Since the 20th century, the animal has been protected by the World Conservation Fund and is listed in the International and Russian Red Book.

Given the love of wealthy citizens for exotic pets, this mammal is included in the list I CITES, which makes it possible to prevent its capture from the habitat and the maintenance of this representative of the fauna in private nurseries.

Far Eastern leopards are predators leading a nocturnal or twilight lifestyle. He is not whimsical in food, and almost all representatives of the fauna of Southern Primorye are included in his diet. An exception are large predators, which compete with the leopard for hunting grounds. However, these animals do not pose a significant danger to the life of this species, since cases of interspecific fights are the exception rather than the rule.

Habitat range

Less than 50 years ago, the leopard was found in the southern regions of the Usuri region, in the Northeast of China and on the Korean Peninsula. But due to active human settlement and deforestation, the population of this predator has significantly decreased and the habitat was divided into 3 isolated areas - 3 populations kind.

Today, the situation has only worsened, since these impressive predators can only be found in an isolated area of ​​​​10 - 15 thousand km2, located on the border Russian Federation, China and North Korea. In Russia wild animal the most common, and the number of individuals is 40 - 50 animals. This the highest rate, after all, 8-11 animals presumably live in China.

This information is often questionable, since it is highly likely that these feline representatives simply wandered into the lands of the PRC from the Russian Primorye in search of prey. On the territory of the Korean Peninsula, wild cats have not been observed for a long time. Although the hedgehog in the twentieth century, it was argued that about 40 individuals of this species successfully live within the reservation located near Paektusan.

However, studies by zoologists conducted in the 90s of the last century could not prove this statement, since no reliable traces of this animal were found.

Appearance

This representative of the cat family rightfully belongs to one of the the most beautiful inhabitants our planet. After all, this animal is the owner of luxurious wool, with an incredible pattern. The animal has a slender, flexible silhouette, which is complemented by a long tail. The body of the animal is slightly elongated and complemented by a rounded head. The leopard is silent, due to the presence of slender and powerful paws.

The sizes of males and females have some differences. So, the representatives of the stronger sex are larger: the length of the body is up to 136 cm, and the tail is up to 90 cm. Females are slightly smaller. The length of their body is up to 112 cm, and the tail is up to 73 cm. The mass of the Far Eastern leopard is controversial issue. According to various sources, their weight can be up to 53 - 60 kg.

This parameter is determined by the traces found, the depth and size of which indicate the estimated parameters of the past animal. The height of the animal at the withers is 64 - 78 cm. The length of the hind foot reaches 24 - 27 cm. The wool of animals is striking in its beauty. In a physically healthy representative of this species, it is smooth and shiny. IN summer period, the length of the wool cover is up to 2.5 cm.

With the onset of cold weather, the Far Eastern leopard warms up. The density of its coat increases, and the length of the cover is already 5 - 7 cm. Sexual dimorphism is manifested only in the size of individuals, while the coloration in representatives of this species does not differ in males and females.

The color of the animal may vary. In the cold season, shades from pale yellow to rusty tones with splashes of gold predominate. With warming, the color becomes brighter and more saturated. Against this background, black rings or spots are visualized.

Far Eastern leopards impress with yellow eyes with oval-shaped pupils arranged vertically. With the onset of night, a standard reaction is observed, accompanied by dilated pupils. This is due to the need to perceive less concentrated light sources and see in the dark. The claws of the animal have a light shade, reminiscent of the color of wax, with whitish tips.

These murder weapons are impressive in size: up to 55 mm. However, it shows them only if necessary; at rest, the claws are hidden between the pads on the paws. This ensures noiseless movement, and keeps the weapon of the beast sharp.

Habitat

This feline is not comfortable in every landscape. The first factor that matters is privacy, lack of road noise and the almost complete exclusion of a person. Also wild predator demanding to have enough food. Therefore, the minimum population of roe deer in his holdings should be at least 10-11 individuals per 1000 m2.

This feline prefers mixed forests Manchu type. These are predominantly coniferous and broad-leaved trees growing in rough terrain. Also, the wild animal prefers lands with the presence of rocky ledges, slopes, various reservoirs, rivers - places where you can hide and easily hide from the threat.

Lifestyle

This feline representative is a predator leading a solitary lifestyle. One adult individual has hunting grounds, which are 239 - 509 km2. Usually such massive possessions belong to males, while females have much smaller possessions - up to 128 km2. A wild animal can coexist with representatives of the opposite sex, rigidly guarding the center of its land from fellows of the same sex.

This feline representative protects his possessions only from capture attempts. So, a male may attack another male if he tries to mark his territory. Young members of the same sex are allowed to cross the possessions of the dominant male and even hunt them.

Scientists note the presence hunting trails used by several leopards at once. It leads a crepuscular or nocturnal lifestyle, leaving its shelter approximately 2 hours before sunset and returning to it by the middle of the night. But several cases of daytime leopard hunting have been recorded. This is more the exception than the rule. Animals usually form dens on a permanent basis. They do not leave their shelters throughout their lives or several years.

Nutrition

Leopards are not too bitter in food, because the population of potential victims is rapidly decreasing, so the animal does not disdain small prey. The basis of the diet of a predator consists of such representatives of the fauna:

  1. Roe deer.
  2. Noble deer.
  3. Seals.
  4. or piglets.
  5. Red deer calves.

In the absence of the main objects of hunting, the animal easily switches to badgers, hares, raccoon dogs, pheasants and hazel grouses. Also, scientists have recorded cases of leopard attacks on small elks, cubs or wounded bears. They do not disdain carrion. After all, the hunger strike of an adult can last no more than 14 days. Plants are also included in the animal's diet.

This information was obtained by examining feces, in which traces of representatives of the flora were found. Usually the animal eats grass to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, and not as a necessary addition to the diet.

reproduction

Achieving puberty in this feline occurs at 24 - 36 months - not earlier. And the opportunity for conception in females occurs only once every 3 years, which is extremely small for representatives of the animal world.

Attention!

The Far Eastern leopard is on the verge of extinction due to extremely slow reproduction, because pregnancy occurs only in 80% of cases, and the number of grown cubs in a female usually consists of 1 - 2 kittens. In comparison, other felines usually have 3-6 kittens. In addition, the number of mature individuals ready for reproduction is extremely small.

These wild animals are polygamous. Pairs of Far Eastern leopards form only for the period of mating, coinciding with estrus in females: the end of autumn - the beginning of winter. It is during the rut for animals that it is easier to find, since males actively make themselves felt with a loud roar and roar, which often leads to fights for the right to possess a representative of the opposite sex.

Spotted cats for mating games and matings chooses January. Males prefer females with an already adult brood, kittens from which are ready to start an independent life. Therefore, mating occurs after the expulsion of the previous offspring or right at it. After mating is completed, the female equips the den. For this, the animal chooses rock crevices, caves.

Pregnancy of the female lasts an average of 90 - 105 days, after which kittens are born. Normally, a litter consists of 1 to 4 kittens. However, the percentage of early mortality is high, so by the time she leaves the den (2–3 months after birth), the female has 1–2 cubs.

A formidable predator is born weighing only 400 - 600 g. Kittens are initially blind and begin to see only 7-9 days after birth. From 12 to 15 days they actively crawl, and from 35 days they walk. The lactation period for the female is 3-6 months, after which the kittens are transferred to meat. Starting from 2 to 3 months after birth, the mother regurgitates semi-digested food to make it easier for babies to eat it.

But then the young leopard is transferred to raw meat. From 8 months, learning the basics of hunting and searching for prey begins. Already by 10 - 11 months, kittens are ready for independent hunting trips. Kittens usually stay with their mother until 13 - 14 months, after which they begin an independent, solitary life.

Systematics

The leopard is included in the total biological classification. This type is on the brink of extinction, therefore, in addition to standardizing it according to certain characteristics, scientists regularly monitor the dynamics of an increase or decrease in an animal population.

The place of the Far Eastern leopard in the general taxonomy looks like this:

  1. Eukaryote.
  2. Animal.
  3. chordate.
  4. Mammal.
  5. Predator.
  6. Feline.
  7. Panther.
  8. Leopard.
  9. Far Eastern leopard.

The scientists also systematized observations of the dynamics of the development of the animal population. So, from 2007-2013, an increase in the number of predator individuals was recorded from 33-36 to 34-50. Which is already a success. However, the positive dynamics does not indicate the disappearance of the threat of extinction.

Meaning

Predators are the orderlies of the forest. After all, the beast not only hunts, but also helps to eliminate carrion from the landscape, which helps to reduce the spread various diseases and dangerous infections among forest dwellers.

The status of this animal: on the verge of extinction. Therefore, people are doing everything possible to preserve its population. After all, each representative of the fauna plays a role. So, wild cat regulates the population of herbivores, which contributes to the development of forests. Indeed, in the absence of predators, roe deer and deer would easily destroy all plantations, moving to gardens and fields of national importance. Which would lead to food shortages.

Enemies

the wild beast is tolerant of competing predators. However, encounters with some animals may end in a fight. Potentially dangerous animals include:

  • Domestic dogs.
  • Wolves.
  • Tigers.

Domestic dogs are the most dangerous for this predator. After all, the spotted beast most often becomes a victim of their attacks. Meetings with a starving pack of wolves can also end sadly. Fights with tigers and bears are extremely rare.

Lifespan

The leopard is listed in the International and Russian Red Book. He was assigned the first category, which indicates the extreme vulnerability of the species and its extinction. To protect and restore the animal population, international and Russian programs. Scientists and the government have strictly banned the hunting of this animal, as well as its capture or sale to private nurseries.

The territory where the spotted beauty lives is protected by law, so any agricultural activity, as well as deforestation, is strictly prohibited on it. Due to the spread of poaching, the government has tightened the punishment for 1 killed Amur leopard. So, if the culprit is a single hunter, he faces a fine and up to 3 years in prison.

If a group of people hunted, then the term of imprisonment is increased to 7 years, and the fine - up to 2 million.

  1. The wild animal is one of the most secretive animals.
  2. To monitor him, scientists use hidden cameras that turn on when motion sensors are triggered.
  3. This is due to the fact that the beast usually notices people located in the shadows and simply bypasses them.
  4. An additional factor for research are the traces of the animal. Of these, scientists make casts, which are studied in detail in the laboratory.
  5. By their depth and size, zoologists can calculate the approximate size, weight and age of the individual.
  6. Another interesting fact is the originality of the drawing.
  7. Each wild animal has an individual location and number of spots.
  8. There are no two identical individuals in the world.
  9. It is by drawing that scientists distinguish animals whose images were obtained from hidden cameras.

Is the most intelligent marine inhabitants. They can talk to each other, hunt well in a group, and have excellent tactics.

The Far Eastern leopard is also called the Amur, Manchurian or Korean leopard, as well as the Amur leopard.

These large spotted predators have chosen the mountainous taiga regions and woodlands Northeast China, Korea, and the Far East.

The Far Eastern leopard is the rarest subspecies of the cat family. Only 35 of these unique big cats live in the wild today. Some experts claim that the number is even smaller - 20-25 individuals, while others generally argue that the population has completely disappeared in the taiga forests.

How to recognize the Amur leopard

The weight of male Far Eastern leopards varies between 32-48 kilograms, earlier there were also larger representatives of the species weighing up to 60-75 kilograms. Females weigh much less compared to males, their weight reaches 25-43 kilograms.

The average body length of Amur leopards is 105-135 centimeters. At the withers, they reach 65-75 centimeters. Far Eastern leopards have a long tail measuring about 80-90 centimeters.

The predator has thick, soft and long fur. IN summer time the length of the fur is 2.5 centimeters, and in winter the fur becomes much longer - 7.5 centimeters. The fur is shorter on the back than on the belly.


The Amur leopard is a real predator.

The main color of the skin is pale yellow, but the chest, belly and tips of the paws are lighter than the rest of the body. The skin is adorned with black spots. On the back and sides, the spots are closely adjacent to each other, and between them there are gaps of a yellowish-red color.

The coloring of Amur leopards is much lighter than that of African and Indian leopards. Distinctive feature Amur leopards have blue-green eyes.

Lifestyle, nutrition and number of Amur leopards

At one time, the Amur leopard had a difficult time in the places where they lived. But, today, these problems are considered so insignificant in comparison with those created by man himself. The main reason for the extermination of the population of these unique predators is poaching.


The Far Eastern leopard is an endangered animal.

Far Eastern leopards are hunted not only by the local population, but also by wealthy Russians from Vladivostok. Also, Chinese citizens who cross the border with Russia illegally make their contribution.

Since 2002, 9 Amur leopards have been shot in our country and 2 in China. Massive poaching is curbed by harsh laws. In this matter, the toughest policy is being pursued in China, where the death penalty is threatened for killing a Far Eastern leopard. In our country, the laws are more loyal - poachers receive 2 years in prison and a fine of 500 thousand rubles.

Deforestation, which is the main habitat of this predator, also leads to a reduction in the population of the Far Eastern leopard. Locals often set fire to the forest, thereby stimulating the growth of fern, which is one of the popular ingredients in Chinese and Far Eastern Russian cuisine. The sale of the fern brings in large incomes, and the population of the unique beast is declining. The number of these animals is frighteningly reduced.


Amur leopards feed mainly on spotted deer, roe deer, and. The current situation leads to the fact that big cats are forced to change their habitual habitat area, because they cannot provide for themselves. necessary quantity food. As a result, Far Eastern leopards often die from starvation and hunters' bullets.

Listen to the voice of the Far Eastern leopard

But if in China and the Far East it is rare to find this predator, then in North Korea the situation is much sadder, where people have already destroyed almost all animals. The Korean leopard has not been seen on these lands for more than 40 years.

Reproduction of the Far Eastern leopard


These inhabitants of the taiga forests prefer a solitary lifestyle. Only during the mating season, males converge with females. mating season usually falls in January. Pregnancy in females lasts 3 months. The expectant mother is looking for a den, it can be a cave, a recess in the ground or a crevice between stones.

Babies are born in the spring, there are 2-3 cubs in the litter, they do not have eyesight, but their skin is already spotted. Young leopards do not leave their mother for 2 years. At 3 years old they have puberty. In the wild, the life expectancy of Far Eastern leopards is 12-15 years. In captivity, these unique cats live longer - up to 20 years.

Protection and measures to increase the number of Amur leopards


The Amur leopard is a victim of poachers.

The prospects for the population in the wild are very sad. Far Eastern leopards live in zoos, where they breed. Today in the zoos of our country, North America and Europe is home to 300 Amur leopards. Good results breeding of these animals have been achieved at the Tallinn Zoo in Estonia.

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Far Eastern leopard, or Amur leopard, or Amur leopard, or East Siberian leopard, or obsolete. The Manchurian leopard is a carnivorous mammal from the cat family. Distributed in the area of ​​mountain coniferous-broad-leaved and oak forests of the Far East, in the border area of ​​three countries - Russia, China and North Korea. Currently, the Far Eastern leopard is on the verge of extinction. This is the rarest of the leopard subspecies: as of February 2015, 57 individuals remained in the wild in the territory of the National Park "Land of the Leopard" and from 8 to 12 in China

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In the XX century, the species was included in the Red Book of Russia, in the Red Book International Union Conservation of Nature and annex I to the Convention on international trade types wildlife and endangered flora, as well as a number of other titles of protection. Leopard hunting has been banned since 1956.

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Description The Far Eastern leopard has a slender and very flexible body, a long tail. The legs are relatively short but strong. The front paws are powerful and wide. The fur is soft, thick, relatively short and close fitting, not lush even in the cold season. In captivity, some individuals lived up to 21 years, in nature, life expectancy is much less - 10-15 years

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Hunting and Feeding The Far Eastern leopard is most active mainly one to two hours before sunset and in the first half of the night. In winter, in cloudy weather, it can hunt during the day. She always goes hunting alone, only females hunt together with grown-up kittens. Hunting is carried out on the ground, using two main methods of hunting: sneaking up on prey and waiting for it in ambush. Quietly sneaking up to the prey at 5-10 meters, he makes a sharp jerk and a subsequent series of jumps on the victim. Having killed large prey, single leopards live near its carcass for 5-7 days. If a person approaches the carcass, then usually the leopard does not show aggression and, after his departure, returns to his prey.

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Reproduction Leopards breed extremely slowly, pregnancy can occur once every three years. Usually there are 1-4 cubs in one litter, while females living in the territory of the PRC usually have 3-4 cubs in a litter, and females from Primorsky Krai have 1-3)