Mating and Reproduction

Panters (leopards) and lions have exactly the same mating rituals. They begin mating at two years.

Last full 5 days and can mate over 250 times.
Panters requires stimuls to start ovulation. This is so because producing something that is not used is a waste of energy.

The cat will will go into oestrus which will rise her hormones to a level in which she is able to produce eggs.

As the female enters oestrus, she’ll start making her territory more to attract dominant male. Males will latch onto her scent using a gland on his palate called the organ or Jacobson, which is able to meansure hormone levels and determine whether or not the femle is ready to mate.

Mating is a non-stop affair, filled with uneasiness and violence.
In order to stimulate the female to ovulate, the male has barbs on his penis (Ouch!!) which dig into the female. When the penis is retracted it hurts the female causing her to lash out at the male. As the mating ritual continues she will produce eggs. Due to his weak sperm, a male leopard has to mate with a female often enough to ensure that fertilisation takes place.

Interesting Notes.

It is interesting to note that current research suggests female leopards can tell whether or not a male is capable of being the territorial male and remain dominant for a long period of time. If she determines that he is not, she has the ability to make herself less fertile. This is because if she conceives and the male is ousted from his territory, a new male will kill her existing cubs. If this happens she would have completely wasted her energy.

It has also been established that females will mate with more than one male within a very short period, thus lowering the chances of infanticide. This is particularly important for female leopards whose territories overlap those of two dominant males. Infanticide in leopards accounts for 40% of cub deaths and is therefore one of the major considerations for females when choosing a mate.

Gestation

Gestation period averages between 90 to 110 days. Female cuts usually will have their cubs in den or areas protected by vegetation, producing 1 to 4 cubs. The cubs are born with their eyes closed and don’t open them until between a week and two weeks and remain with the mother for 18 – 24 months.