Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Barbary leopard
The Barbary Leopard, Panthra pardus panthera, which inhabits the Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa, closely resembles the familiar East African leopard. It is a stockier creature than the typical panthera pardus, with a thicker coat owing to its snowy home. According to some sources, it is adapted in camel-like fashion to the desert and can go almost a month without drinking. Like other leopards, it is an able hunter, capable of bringing down an antelope twice its weight. It will also eat insects and any smaller animals, especially the Barbary macaque.
It is an endangered species, however, reports vary as to how many remain in captivity and the wild. Estimates can range from total extinction to a dozen in captivity to as many as 250 wild specimens.
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