Leopards

The principal social characteristic of the pard members is a need for physical contact as a source of emotional reassurance. Pard members frequently rub against one another as if they were cats.

An interesting and notable characteristic in wereleopard terminology is the existence of three different titles for their leaders: Nimir-Raj/Nimir-Ra, leoparde lionne, leopard passant. The titles do not affect the functional, internal authority of the leader, but they do describe the type of leader currently in power.

Pard
Similar to Lukoi for the werewolves, "pard" is the term wereleopards use to refer to their group. (In Middle English, "pard" referred to panthers or leopards).

Nimir-Ra and Nimir-Raj
A given pard's queen is its "Nimir-Ra," and its king is its "Nimir-Raj." (Nimir appears to be a version of "Namir," the word for panther in Hindi, Arabic, and Hebrew. "Raj" is Hindi for king or ruler.)

Léoparde lionné and lion passant
Terms based in French heraldry to describe a wereleopard leader who is not of a Nimir-Raj or Nimir-Ra status. A "léoparde lionné" refers to a rampant leopard -- an alpha who is a brave protector or avenger. A "lion passant" refers to a sleeping lion -- an alpha that leads but does not protect.

In fact, the pard's understanding of heraldry appears to be in error. Under standard heraldry terms, passant means a walking animal (three legs on the ground, one leg up), while dormant means a sleeping animal. The term "léoparde lionné," however, is used correctly -- the term referred to a leopard in the typical pose of a heraldic lion, i.e. rampant. (See: http://www.heraldsnet.org/saitou/parker/Jpglossl.htm )