Range of Variation in the Leopard

Abstract

THOSE interested in the study of variation, in regard to the size and coloration displayed by animals having a wide geographical distribution, will be glad to learn that a pair of Indian leopards, from Hyderabad, has just been added to the collection in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London. The range of the leopard is greater than that of any other of the larger carnivores, since it inhabits the whole of Asia, and is found almost throughout Africa and everywhere it shows a tendency to split up into groups, such as, were they isolated for a sufficiently long period, would give rise to distinct species. The Indian leopard, for example, may range in length between five to so much as eight feet while the tail may measure from a half to three-quarters of the length of the body. In the Persian leopard the length of the hair, and the bushiness of the tail approaches the snow-leopard, a nearly related species. The Manchurian leopard is still more distinct. The African leopard shows an even greater range of variation in these particulars, and we have yet to find an explanation of the curious fact that individuals from East Africa have large rosettes like those of Persian and Indian leopards, while those from West Africa are characterised by the small size and great number of their spots which nowhere form the rings or rosettes of the typical leopard. The same is true of the Albany district of South Africa. We have this much as a basis for further study that such as are found in open country have a light golden-tawny ground colour, while those from damp, tropical forests are darker. The smallest of all the tribe are leopards from Somaliland, where, it may be noted, lions are also smaller. They have, indeed, been described as pigmy-leopards. That these differences are associated in some subtle way with the nature of their haunts and habits seems a justifiable inference. But how, or precisely why, they occur is a matter which demands a more intensive study than it has yet received.