Leopard Family
The feline family has two distinct branches, and the most numerous of those is that of the leopard and its many cousins, all of whom occupy similar niches within their respective environments. Apex solo predators, relying on speed, surprise and raw power. Masters of stalking and stealth, with the ability to apply swift and explosive force to down prey items swiftly and without much struggle. From Pumas to bobcats, from jaguars to cheetahs, from leopards to snow leopards, though their size, coloration and environments may change, as do their specific methods of catching their prey, or their specific body types, they remain closely related and all filling very similar niches in their biomes. So this entry will broadly cover this entire branch of the Feline family, these beautiful, mysterious and powerful predators.
I will tell you now dear reader, many are the stories in a wide variety of cultures about the canine or ursine predators in their biome, the ferocity and sheer power. Many are such tall tales and great is the respect. But having studied and been close to all, and more than once stalked or considered as potentially on the menu, none of them compare to the sheer ice cold feeling of fear and awe that one feels pumping through their blood stream when they realize and make eye contact with a great hunting cat that has been stalking you. That moment is both terrifying and exhilirating, the realization of the power, of the danger. The understanding you acquire in that moment, locked eyes to eyes with such a creature, as you come to fully comprehend if you saw this majestic beast, that means it has been following and stalking you for quite some time and has decided you are not worth the effort as a prey item. So now it is alerting you to its presence as a warning to leave its hunting grounds, before it changes its mind. You cannot speak to such a creature, but the eyes betray much in that moment, I assure you."
Montague Cuchilian Williamson Esq during a lecture on the Felidae family of apex predators, explaining the unique experience that comes with meeting such a beast face to face.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The particular member of the Pantheria family highlighted here is the Mottlis, also known by the name Plains Leopard. These are some of the largest of this branch of the feline family, and despite their name, are not merely found stalking the savannahs of Susma and Rohara with their cousin the cheetah, but can be found in the wooded foothills of southern Valewyr as well. Further north, smaller cousins known as cloud leopards dominate the karsks and highlands of Valewyr. Other cousins such as the Jaguar rule the swamps and jungles of the continent of Wyriel, and the southern regions of Kang-Chorath. Pumas, bobcats, lynxs and snow leopards all dominate the mountainous highlands and temperate forests of the continent of Durol.
Though these cats all widely vary in size and coloration, and in a variety of abilities, they all fill similar niches, and have a similar base structure and anatomy. Skilled climbers, stronger than their size would suggest, retractable claws, and with jaws capable of applying a bite force larger than their size would first suggest. Strong sense of smell, sharp eyes attuned to all conditions, struggling not in the brightest daylight or the darkest of nights. They are all obligate carnivores, and though many would see their competing canine and ursine counterparts as the more successful apex predators, it would do well to remind the reader that those two families are omnivores, meaning they do not subsist off just meat, despite the fact that may be their preferred option. This is not true of any of the hunting cats of the world, which all are true carnivores, able to only subsist off of meat.
The Plains leopard is a prime example that can teach one what to expect from all its various cousins however. Its mottled tawny yellow-gold coat with the black rosette spots creates a brilliant optical illusionary effect allowing masterful stalking through the long grasses and sandy environs of the savannahs, deserts and plains of Susma and Rohara. Its cousins all will have similarly adapted color schemes to their coats, though not all will be mottled or spotted. Its heavily padded feet allow the softest of movements and steps, sometimes even soft enough to avoid breaking branches or shifting rocks upon the ground. The sleek profile, small ears and overall smooth body shape helps with camoflogue as well, insuring their are no harsh edges, no sudden noticeable features that can easily be detected when they are stalking prey in cover.
Though these cats all widely vary in size and coloration, and in a variety of abilities, they all fill similar niches, and have a similar base structure and anatomy. Skilled climbers, stronger than their size would suggest, retractable claws, and with jaws capable of applying a bite force larger than their size would first suggest. Strong sense of smell, sharp eyes attuned to all conditions, struggling not in the brightest daylight or the darkest of nights. They are all obligate carnivores, and though many would see their competing canine and ursine counterparts as the more successful apex predators, it would do well to remind the reader that those two families are omnivores, meaning they do not subsist off just meat, despite the fact that may be their preferred option. This is not true of any of the hunting cats of the world, which all are true carnivores, able to only subsist off of meat.
The Plains leopard is a prime example that can teach one what to expect from all its various cousins however. Its mottled tawny yellow-gold coat with the black rosette spots creates a brilliant optical illusionary effect allowing masterful stalking through the long grasses and sandy environs of the savannahs, deserts and plains of Susma and Rohara. Its cousins all will have similarly adapted color schemes to their coats, though not all will be mottled or spotted. Its heavily padded feet allow the softest of movements and steps, sometimes even soft enough to avoid breaking branches or shifting rocks upon the ground. The sleek profile, small ears and overall smooth body shape helps with camoflogue as well, insuring their are no harsh edges, no sudden noticeable features that can easily be detected when they are stalking prey in cover.
Biological Traits
So within the family itself there is a wide range of sizes, some only perhaps twice as big as a normal house cat or barn cat, and others as big as the Plains leopard. However, as the Plains leopard is perhaps the best studied of the elusive members of this species, it is that information that shall be presented below.
Genetics and Reproduction
Studies of these elusive and stealthy predators are on going, and in particular studying their mating and reproductive habits and information is proving one of the greatest challenges in the field research of biology and ecology at this time.
Ecology and Habitats
As covered above the Plains Leopard is one of two species that dominate the savannahs of Susma, spreading into the great plains of Rohara as well. The other is the cheetah. However many other cousin species fill similar roles in various other habitats, such as the jaguar in the jungles and swamps of the continent of Wyriel, or the nation of Kang-Chorath on Gavis-Lune. The clouded leopard in the karsks and highlands of Valewyr. The puma or 'mountain lion' in the temperate mountain ranges of the continent of Durol, bobcats and lynx admist its many forests and the elusive snow leopard all throughout the mountains of Suranth.
In all these environments these great cats fill a similar role, preying widely on a great many available small to mid-size game animals. They've some of the widest dietary capabilities of any carnivore, and seem able to adapt to various changes throughout the year of availability of differing prey items quite easily. This even translates to external pressures, such as sapient kind, and the pressure they inevitably apply to available food sources. Some species, of which the Jaguar and Plains Leopard are the most notorious, even have gone so far as to simply adapt to sapient species (human, elves, dwarves, tanturs, and their ilk, as well as orc, goblin, even ogre or any other such foul beastmen or greenskin ilk) as prey items, and are generally pretty successful in such endeavors.
A unique exception to this does seem to be the cheetah, the speedy and most unique cousin of this family, whom relies very heavily on mid-sized ungulates of the southern savannahs, to the point where it is estimated that over 70% of their diet comes from gazelle and zebra or wilderbeast. This is in contrast to any of the other members of this species and family, whom do not seem to rely on any two or three prey options nearly as heavily, never in excess of over 50%.
In all these environments these great cats fill a similar role, preying widely on a great many available small to mid-size game animals. They've some of the widest dietary capabilities of any carnivore, and seem able to adapt to various changes throughout the year of availability of differing prey items quite easily. This even translates to external pressures, such as sapient kind, and the pressure they inevitably apply to available food sources. Some species, of which the Jaguar and Plains Leopard are the most notorious, even have gone so far as to simply adapt to sapient species (human, elves, dwarves, tanturs, and their ilk, as well as orc, goblin, even ogre or any other such foul beastmen or greenskin ilk) as prey items, and are generally pretty successful in such endeavors.
A unique exception to this does seem to be the cheetah, the speedy and most unique cousin of this family, whom relies very heavily on mid-sized ungulates of the southern savannahs, to the point where it is estimated that over 70% of their diet comes from gazelle and zebra or wilderbeast. This is in contrast to any of the other members of this species and family, whom do not seem to rely on any two or three prey options nearly as heavily, never in excess of over 50%.
Dietary Needs and Habits
These hunting cats do seem to need a notable volume of food, and it is generally considered that a single adult would need to make a successful moderate size kill every 3-5 days. However, it is again worth noting that their are many difficulties studying these illusive creatures, and this does extend extensively into observing their full eating habits, as they often will not simply eat where they drop a prey item, but retreat to some safer location, moving the entire corpse. Leopards have been observed dragging prey as far as half a mile to the nearest tree to climb with it, showing great stamina and strength.
Behaviour
Feline behavior is an enigma all its own, and the studies in the field of these apex predators have yet to truly begin investigating this aspect of understanding these majestic beasts, as lengthy observation of such creatures is such a uniquely challenging task.
Additional Information
Domestication
Whilst by no means can one claim any domestication or even 'taming' has occurred of these apex predators, there do exist interesting documented cases, though rare, of individuals forming a unique, almost species defying social tie with a cub or even more rarely, an adult, and the creature choosing to travel with that individual, even beyond its normal comfortable habitat or home range. However such a bond is so staggeringly unique and so outside the current scope of understanding that it may as well be magick.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
There is a long cultural history in many places across Valerick of tying elite warriors to these mighty predators. One only need look as far as Kang-Chorath, where their current elite military unit is known as 'Jaguars'. This extends far beyond such a simple name however, and is not unique to Kang-Chorath. For as long as we've inhabited Valerick, it seems the great hunting cats of the Pantheria family, as well as the pair we've yet to discuss of the Lionen family have played a deep and important role culturally in the mythos and in the traditions and teaching and learning of hunting cultures all across the world.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
It is well known that members of the feline family have some of the sharpest eyesight in all the mundane animal kingdom. They seem unbothered regardless of the level of light, day or night, pitch black or sunny skies, none of it seems to truly matter to their ability to see. In addition to this, they are known to have quite an adept nose and a surprisingly keen sense of hearing.
Besides all of this, their is a uniquely observed phenomenon within the feline family, a sort of extrasensory ability to land gracefully, even if falling from a great height unexpectedly. This is not to say that they are incapable of being hurt in a fall no matter the height. But felines such as the snow leopard have been observed falling heights in excess of twenty feet and even if falling backwards, seemingly unexpectedly, they manage to right themselves and land gracefully, all four paws to the ground, able to absorb the impact without breaking bones in their feet, legs and body. It is a truly remarkable ability that is not fully understood, merely observed.
Besides all of this, their is a uniquely observed phenomenon within the feline family, a sort of extrasensory ability to land gracefully, even if falling from a great height unexpectedly. This is not to say that they are incapable of being hurt in a fall no matter the height. But felines such as the snow leopard have been observed falling heights in excess of twenty feet and even if falling backwards, seemingly unexpectedly, they manage to right themselves and land gracefully, all four paws to the ground, able to absorb the impact without breaking bones in their feet, legs and body. It is a truly remarkable ability that is not fully understood, merely observed.
Leopard Base Stat Sheet
Scientific Name
Felidae Pantheria Mottlis
Average Height
0.4-0.8 meters, or 1'5"-2'6" on average
Average Weight
Females are generally smaller, weighing 20-60kgs or 45-135lbs. Males are generally notably bigger, weighing anywhere from 35-75kgs or 80-165lbs on average
Average Length
The head and body length of the plains leopard is somewhere in the range of 0.9-1.85 meters or 2'11"-6'1" on average with a tail that is an additional 0.6-1 meter, or 2'2"-3'4" in length, again on average.
Geographic Distribution
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