Photographer captures image of rare "Strawberry Leopard"

[Candlelight]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/...uth-africa-animals-science/?source=link_TW_02

A leopard can't change its spots, but apparently it can change its color.

African leopards normally have tawny coats with black spots. But a male leopard with a strawberry-colored coat has been spotted in South Africa's Madikwe Game Reserve (map), conservationists announced this week.

Tourists in the reserve had occasionally seen the unusual animal. But it wasn't until recently that photographer and safari guide Deon De Villiers sent a photograph to experts at Panthera, a U.S.-based wild cat-conservation group, to ask them about the leopard's odd coloration.

Panthera President Luke Hunter suspects the pale leopard has erythrism, a little-understood genetic condition that's thought to cause either an overproduction of red pigments or an underproduction of dark pigments.

"It's really rare—I don't know of another credible example in leopards," said Hunter, whose group collaborates with National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative. (The Society owns National Geographic News.)

Hunter added, "it's surprising that [a photo of the leopard] didn't come out sooner, because he's relatively used to vehicles."

Interesting. Apple now has another operating system up their sleeves.

 

[Miss Chicken]

I wonder if any offspring he fathers will inherit his colouring.

 

[scotpens]

Interesting. Apple now has another operating system up their sleeves.

Strawberry Leopard? Sounds more like a drink to me.

The strawberry leopard seems healthy and likely suffers no ill consequences from his pinkish hue, Hunter said.

Except for the occasional ribbing from other male leopards making “gay” jokes.

 

[captcalhoun]

it's not that pink. *disappointed*

 

[Skywalker]

It's light red!

 

[Miss Chicken]

I am more impressed with "king cheetahs' as seen here, and here. It is just a rare colour variation of a cheetah but when they were first seen people thought they were a different species.

 

[Lumi]

He is indeed beautiful, but perhaps 'strawberry leopard' isn't the right fit. I don't see any shade of pink or red. Could just be my crappy laptop though.

King cheetahs are absolutely gorgeous. I've always had a soft spot for cheetahs. The only big cat that that doesn't terrify me.

 

[RoJoHen]

I'd call that a blonde leopard. I don't see the slightest hint of pink. I've never really understood the term "strawberry blonde" either. It's like people don't know what color strawberries actually are.

 

[B.J.]

I think this goes along with the color names thread. I guessed right that the writer of the article was a woman, because I have no idea what a "tawny" color is, and I certainly wouldn't call it a "strawberry" leopard. At best I'd call it pinkish or a pale reddish color.

 

[scotpens]

it's not that pink. *disappointed*

Yeah, I was expecting something more like this.

 

[trekkiedane]

Strawberry Leopard? Sounds more like a drink to me.

Actually...



... I think I could do with one right now

So, how does one make a spotted drink?

I think this goes along with the color names thread. I guessed right that the writer of the article was a woman, because I have no idea what a "tawny" color is, /.../

That's easy, just like a number of other colour-names: Champagne, Cognac, Burgundy...

 

[Miss Chicken]

I think the leopard's colour couldvfit the colour tern of 'strawberry blonde'.

 

[M'Sharak]

I think this goes along with the color names thread. I guessed right that the writer of the article was a woman, because I have no idea what a "tawny" color is, and I certainly wouldn't call it a "strawberry" leopard. At best I'd call it pinkish or a pale reddish color.

"Strawberry" does sound a bit overly cutesy, but "tawny" for me would be the color of a lion, or maybe of a puma.

 

[Lindley]

It's light red!

"Strawberry" does sound a bit overly cutesy, but "tawny" for me would be the color of a lion, or maybe of a puma.

[Sarge]What in sam hell is a Puma?[/Sarge]

 

[scotpens]

I think the leopard's colour could've fit the colour tern of 'strawberry blonde'.

That's one strawberry blonde you don't want to waltz with!

[Sarge]What in sam hell is a Puma?[/Sarge]

South American name for a cougar or mountain lion.

Who the Sam Hill is Sarge?

 

[M'Sharak]

Who the Sam Hill is Sarge?

Click.

 

[Lindley]

[Sarge]What in sam hell is a Puma?[/Sarge]

South American name for a cougar or mountain lion.

Who the Sam Hill is Sarge?

To make a long and hilarious story....well, still really long, but the relevant bit is only a couple of episodes in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BAM9fgV-ts&feature=sh_e_se&list=SL

 

[Skywalker]

It's light red!

"Strawberry" does sound a bit overly cutesy, but "tawny" for me would be the color of a lion, or maybe of a puma.

[Sarge]What in sam hell is a Puma?[/Sarge]

 

[GemHaters]

*blinks* Am I the only one that doesn't see this "pink hue"?

 

[trekkiedane]

*blinks* Am I the only one that doesn't see this "pink hue"?

Nope -but the thing to remember (at least as far as I'm concerned) is that this description of the colour probably just is some convention between biologists rather than an analysis of the wavelengths of light being reflected off the animal.