Leopards (Panthera Pardus) are incredibly adaptable big cats that thrive in various habitats. These powerful predators are closely related to lions and jaguars, and their vast range includes sub-Saharan Africa, northeast and central Asia, and India. But the species is still critically endangered throughout its range, with populations declining for a variety of reasons, including human population growth, loss of habitat, and poaching of the animals for their skin.
Unlike the solitary male, female leopards spend much of their time caring for cubs and guarding their territory. The sounds of a leopard roar—a rough rasp like a handsaw cutting wood—help to mark territorial boundaries and attract mates.
The leopard is the heraldic symbol of the Salinas family and its Prince, Don Fabrizio Corbera. It symbolizes the aristocracy’s unchallenged rule in pre-revolutionary Sicily, which is slowly coming under pressure from a rising middle class and revolutions spreading across Europe. The novel explores the end of this era, as well as the fleeting nature of beauty and power.
Tesson is fascinated by the leopard, but he is also quick to note that its absence was as significant as its presence. Like Matthiessen, he is a sort of Watson figure, sidekick to a savvier character (in his case, Munier, one of the world’s leading field biologists).
Tesson admires a leopard’s ability to hunt and survive in difficult conditions. He compares the animal to a man, noting that both “can go through extreme hardship without losing their dignity.” It is an appropriate comparison, considering that the leopard’s spots are not just a sign of a majestic coat but also serve as protection against predators.
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