Unknown to many, leopards are, in fact, incredibly powerful jumpers!
They can jump up to 6 metres horizontally in a single leap, and up to 3 metres vertically (straight up).
Watch The Sighting:
Their powerful hind legs and muscular build make them some of the best jumpers among big cats, especially when leaping onto trees or over obstacles while hunting or escaping threats.
Leopard And Cub Make Incredible Journey Across Riverbank
This video shows just how wonderfully leopards are designed for great athletic feats, including making giant leaps.
A mother leopard and her cub were spotted walking along the riverbanks and rocks by the Sabie River.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
While leopards are solitary animals, meaning they like to be alone, leopard mothers will make a major exception for their cubs. This leopard mother definitely enjoyed the company of her cub.
This mother-cub pair moved in synch as they explored the area around the Sabie River.
Their rosette-patterned fur helped them to remain relatively camouflaged as they walked alongside one another.
These distinct patterns give a leopard excellent camouflage in a variety of environments, from forests to grasslands.
Leopards Arrive At Water’s Edge
Here, the Sabie River was fairly full. However, these leopards seemed unperturbed by the high level of the water. Leopards are quite strong swimmers. Unlike many cats, they can even hunt in water if needed!
It wasn’t just the leopards’ fearlessness in the watery environment that captured spectators’ attention, but also the beautiful interaction between mother and cub.
They walked out of the dense vegetation and onto the rocky outcrops, which overlooked the river. There they stood for a moment together, examining the waters.
Mother Leopard Makes A Magnanimous Leap
The mother edged forwards and, quite unexpectedly, she leapt across the water, with the most magnificent leap. One almost believed she would land in the water, as she had to lift her body across quite an expanse of river water. However, she leapt to the other side in a theatrical display of athletic prowess.
Then came the cub. The little one looked across the river to Mom. It edged forwards, nose down for a moment. Then, with eyes looking up again and focused forwards, it leapt with all the agility and strength of its mother.
It also made it across to the other side.
Mother And Cub Make It Across River To Safety
The mother and cub pair continued to walk along the rocks, having safely crossed the river, to the spectators’ amazement.
Leopard mothers are solely responsible for raising the cubs. Like this sighting, the mother will move the cubs frequently to avoid detection by predators.
Their cubs will begin learning to hunt at around three months of age, often by playing with prey brought by their mother.
They usually stay with her for a year-and-a-half to two years. During this time, she will teach them all kinds of antics. This little one definitely has a leap just like Mom’s, and possibly knew more than a thing or two which it has learned from her.
The breathtaking sighting showcased the power that is built into these beautiful creatures.