The stealthiest cats

Leopards are infamous for their ability to go undetected. They sometimes live practically among humans and are usually still tough to spot, as their spotted coat blend into the surroundings. They are stealthy and elegant. Amongst the big cats, they are probably the most accomplished stalkers, mainly because of their size. They are also good and agile climbers and can descend from a tree headfirst. Apart from climbing, they are strong swimmers but not as fond of water as tigers and jaguars. For example, leopards do not normally lie in water, and they rarely attempt to leap across swamps and marshes. They are mainly nocturnal, but they can be seen at any time of day and will even hunt during daytime, either on overcast days or when they are hunting with cubs. In regions where they are hunted, nocturnal behavior is more common, as people do not usually go after them at night. These cats are solitary, and normally avoid one another. However, 3 or 4 are sometimes seen together in the mating season or a territory fight. Hearing and eyesight are the strongest of these cats' senses and this is what makes it one of the best hunters. Body language is relied upon as well, but not for hunting. When making a threat, leopards stretch their backs, depress their rib cages between their shoulder blades so they stick out, and lower their heads (similar to domestic cats). Normally, they lie in bushes, on rocks, or in a tree during the daytime with their tails hanging below the treetops and giving them away.