While the North African and Sri Lankan leopards are endangered, in sub-Saharan Africa there are as many as 500,000 leopards today. Compared to the Asian leopards, African cats are lighter colored and their rosettes are smaller and set closer together. Melanistic African leopards have also been observed.

Weight: males range from 80 to 160 pounds, females 60 to 120 pounds.

Height: measured at the shoulder, 18 to 24 inches.

Lifespan: in captivity, they have been known to live 20 years.

Habitat and Range: African Leopards have a range from southern to northern Africa with protected areas throughout. They can still be found from the southern cape mountains of South Africa throughout most countries of Africa south of the Sahara. Leopards are the only African big cat which habitat ranges from rain forests to the desert.

Endangered Status: endangered