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Bothma, J.du P.; le Riche, E.A.N.
Prey preference and hunting efficiency of the Kalahari desert leopard Cats of the World: Biology, Conservation, and Management (Second International Symposium)
1982  Conference Proceeding

Tracking in soft sand revealed data on prey selection, hunting efficiency and habitat use for the Kalahari Desert leopard _(Panthera pardus). _Data on 40 observation periods of 24 h each were obtained for male leopard activity on 9 occasions, and 15 periods for females with cubs on 3 occasions. These data are based on 574.2 km of tracking male leopards, and 201.4 km of tracking females with cubs, and involved different leopards on different occasions. The Kalahari Desert leopard is an opportunistic feeder, with some preference for medium-sized prey. Of all prey, 54 % are juvenile animals. A male leopard consumes an estimated 3.5 kg of meat per day, females with cubs 4.9 kg. Four of 24 kills were stored in trees. Male leopards killed 13 % of their prey contacts, females with cubs 23 %. Of all contacts with prey by male leopards, 5 % ended in the classic stalk-chase-kill sequence; 2 % for females with cubs. Of all stalks, 10 % by male leopards ended in a kill; 4 % for females with cubs. Of all chases by male leopards, 11 % ended in a kill; 28 % for females with cubs. Of all kills, 36 % by male leopards and 10 % by female leopards with cubs involved the classic stalk-chase-kill sequence. Male leopards moved an average of 14.4 km in 24 hours; females with cubs, 13.4 km. Leopards are independent of free water. They especially use shepherd's tree (_Boscia albitrunca_) and shrubs, and aardvark _(Orycteropus afer) _and porcupine _(Hystrix africaeaustralis) _burrows as daytime cover.

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