A majestic Arabian leopard with golden fur and dark spots, standing in a natural habitat with warm lighting.

Arabian Leopards

The Arabian leopard is one of the smallest subspecies of leopard and is native to the Arabian Peninsula. It is an endangered species that has been on the red list since 1996. The number of Arabian leopards is estimated to range from 80 to 300 individuals. No more precise figures are available. The coat of the Arabian leopard has a rosette pattern and colors range from pale yellow to golden to yellow-brown. Males weigh about 30 kilograms and stand 1.30 meters tall. Females weigh only 20 kilograms and are correspondingly smaller. Generally, the Arabian leopard is smaller than the African and Persian leopard.

Written by: Michaela Eckmüller Last updated at: May 21, 2025

Habitat and Distribution

The Arabian leopard lives in mountainous and hilly regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Habitats within the Sultanate of Oman include theHajar Mountains, the northern exclave Musandam and Dhofar, the southernmost region of the country. The leopard has become extinct in the Hajar Mountains; in Musandam, it is found only sporadically, and in Dhofar lives the largest known population, in the Jebel Samhan Nature Reserve. This area provides optimal living conditions for the Arabian leopard. Here, it finds shelter, water, and food. Besides leopards, wolves, gazelles, foxes, striped hyenas, and other animals also live there.

Behavior

Arabian leopards are considered solitary animals that only live together for a short time during mating. A female leopard usually gives birth to about 2 to 3 cubs, which spend the following year with their mother before leaving to live independently. Leopards are nocturnal and spend the day in sheltered places. When they go hunting, they approach their prey quietly and slowly, then quickly and powerfully dispatch it.

Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home

Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.

We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.

From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.

You might also like this

A landscape of rocky formations with some green desert vegetation in Wadi Shuwaymiah, Oman.

Wadi Shuwaymiyah

1 min read

The Wadi Shuwaymiyah is a remote oasis in the desert of Oman. Here you will find untouched nature and fascinating rock formations. The wadi is a true insider tip for adventurers. There are cave systems to explore and colorful plays of light on the rocks to admire. The wadi is uninhabited and forms a gravel landscape shaped by nature. Palm groves and unusual access roads feel like a time long past.With an off-road vehicle, Wadi Shuwaymiyah can be explored. Here you experience the untouched flora and fauna of Oman and see unique natural rock formations. With a bit of luck, you might also witness...

The entrance to Nizwa Fort with two old cannons placed on elevated platforms outside the white fortress walls.

Nizwa Fort

2 min read

The Fort of Nizwa is definitely one of the most remarkable sights of the small town. The tower of the fort can be seen from afar. With a diameter of 45 meters and a height of 35 meters, it is not only the largest structure of the oasis of Nizwa, which it far surpasses, but it is also the mightiest tower in all of Oman. Similar to other castle and fortifications in the area, this tower was built under Sultan bin Saif bin Malik al-Ya´aruba in the mid-17th century. The construction of this impressive fortification took around twelve years. The residential complexes of the fort are significantly o...

Sandy beach with gentle waves and rocky hills in the background under a clear sky.

Water Temperature Oman

1 min read

The Sultanate of Oman is located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, and its coast with a length of 2000 km is bordered by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, with the coast being divided into two major sections. Along its long coast, Oman is dominated by the influence of the prevailing trade winds, as well as the Indian monsoons. The beaches in the north of the country, along the Gulf of Oman, are suitable for bathing year-round. While the water temperature in winter is around 25°C, it rises to a very warm 26°C to 31°C in the summer months. Due to the high ...

Why book with the Oman specialist

On site

Own Canvas Club team with office in Muscat and Salalah. We know all tour guides for many years, all services on site come from us - from one source!

Expertise

Every travel consultant has already lived in Oman for several years. We know all the hotels and highlights of the country personally! And are several times a year on the spot.

Hotel product

Own luxury desert camp 'Canvas Club' in the Wahiba Sands desert with exclusive benefits for our clients

Network

Attractive prices and exclusive benefits through long-standing, trusting partnerships with local hoteliers and service providers.

Accessibility

Contactable 7 days a week via all common communication channels - 24h emergency number on site.

Personal

Each trip is individually worked out and 100% tailored to your needs!