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Amur Leopard - Panthera pardus orientalis

The Amur or Far Eastern leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is a subspecies of leopard and ranks among the world's most endangered cats, with only 25–40 individuals surviving in the easternmost regions of Russia. In the 19th century, the range of the Amur leopard extended from southeastern Russia, through Northeast China, and into the Korean peninsula. But after decades of habitat destruction, poaching, and hunting of its prey, the Amur leopard has been restricted to a tiny fragment of its former range.

The Amur leopard is an oddity among leopard species. Unlike its relatives who inhabit the warm savannas of Africa, the Amur leopard is well adapted to the cold mountain habitats of Russia's Far East. The Amur leopard has long limbs that enable it to walk through deep snow. When the seasons turn cold, the Amur leopard sheds its shorter, golden colored coat in favor of a longer, lighter colored coat which provides it with added insulation and camouflage.

The Amur leopard lives in the forests of the Sihote Alin Mountain Range where much of the year it encounters deep snow and harsh climates. It relies on roe deer, sika deer, wild boar, musk deer, and small mammals such as hares and badgers for its food supply.

* Mass: 50-60kg (males), 30-35kg (females)
* Diet: large mammals (such as roe deer, sika deer, and wild boar), small mammals (such as badgers and hares)
* Mating Season: little known, possibly year-round
* Number of Offspring: up to 6 (average 2-3)

Classification:

* Kingdom: Animalia
* Phylum: Chordata
* Class: Mammalia
* Order: Carnivora
* Family: Felidae
* Genus: Panthera
* Species: Panthera pardus
* Subspecies: Panthera pardus orientalis

Range and Habitat:
The Amur leopard's present range includes the far south-east of Russia, along the border of China and North Korea and bounded on the west by the Sea of Japan.
* Amur Leopard (WWF)
* Amur Leopard: An Introduction (Amur Leopard Conservation Support Programme)
* Goodrich J. 2007. Meet Russia's Coolest Cat. BBC Wildlife. August. 25:8(50-55).
* Uphyrkina O. et. al. 2002. Conservation Genetics of the Far Eastern Leopard. The Journal of Heredity. 93(5): 303-311.

Suggested Reading

* Scientists Capture Rare Amur Leopard for Health Check
* Weather Threatens Russia's Rare Tigers and Leopards
* Saving Russia's Rare Panthers

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* Panthers - Saving Russia's Rare Panthers
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* Cats - About Panthers and Clouded Leopards

Siberian Tiger - Panthera tigris altaica

The Siberian or Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the largest of all the tiger subspecies. It has a reddish-orange coat that fades to white on its face and belly. It has dark brown, vertical stripes that cover its flanks and shoulders. Its fur is thicker and longer than other tiger subspecies, an adaptation to its cold, mountain habitat.

Siberian tigers are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Siberian tiger populations fell precariously close to extinction in the 1940s, when there were as few as 40 tigers left in the wild. Since that time, the tiger population has rebounded modestly and although the subspecies remains critically endangered, its numbers are now estimated to be in the range of 431 to 529 individuals (WWF, 2007).
* Mass: 50-60kg (males), 30-35kg (females)
* Diet: large mammals (such as roe deer, sika deer, and wild boar), small mammals (such as badgers and hares)
* Mating Season: little known, possibly year-round
* Number of Offspring: up to 6 (average 2-3)

Classification:

* Kingdom: Animalia
* Phylum: Chordata
* Class: Mammalia
* Order: Carnivora
* Family: Felidae
* Genus: Panthera
* Species: Panthera tigris
* Subspecies: Panthera tigris altaica

Where to See:
The Siberian tiger's range includes the far south-east of Russia, along the border of China and North Korea and bounded on the west by the Sea of Japan.
References:

* Miquelle D, Darman Y, Seryodkin I. 2008. Panthera tigris ssp. altaica. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. November 19, 2008.
* Dacres K, Lundrigan B. 2007. Panthera tigris. Animal Diversity Web. December 16, 2007.

Suggested Reading

* Weather Poses Threat for Siberian Tigers
* Saving Russia's Rare Panthers
* Cats - Family Felidae

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* Tiger - Panthera tigris
* Siberian Tiger
* Panthers - Saving Russia's Rare Panthers
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* Detroit Sports Blog - Detroit Sports Blog About Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons ...

Laura Klappenbach

Laura Klappenbach
Animals / Wildlife Guide

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The Plight of the Siberian Tiger and the Amur Leopard By Laura Klappenbach, About.com Guide

Saving Russia's Rare Panthers
The Plight of the Siberian Tiger and the Amur Leopard

By Laura Klappenbach, About.com Guide

On Russia's eastern coast lies one of the world's most unique temperate forests. The region, nestled against the Sea of Japan, plays host to an extraordinary mix of species, including two of the most endangered cats in the world:
the Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and the Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis).

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