Leopard, solitary spotted big cat found throughout Africa and S Asia, sometimes called a panther. It has a round head with a short nose and long, thin tail. The coat may be yellow and white with dark spots, or almost completely black, as in the black panther. A good climber and swimmer, it feeds on birds, monkeys, antelopes and cattle. The gestation period is three months and two to four young are born. Length: to 2.45m including tail; weight: to 90.6kg. Family Felidae; species Panthera pardus.