Big Cats in the Trees
树上的大猫
For humans, the night brings darkness and signals（信号） the time for rest.
对于人类来说，夜晚带来了黑暗，预示着休息时间。
Even with artificial light, the circadian rhythms（昼夜节律） we possess in our genes mean that in general, we still wake and sleep according to the rising and setting of the sun.
即使有了人造光，我们基因中的昼夜节律意味着，我们通常仍然根据太阳的升起和落下来作息。
We sleep through the night and drift into dreamland.
我们彻夜长眠，进入梦乡。
However, for leopards（豹）, the cunning（狡猾的） predators on the African savanna, the night's slippery fingers rouse them up, bringing them into a state of high activity;
然而，对于非洲大草原上狡猾的掠食者豹子来说，夜晚光滑的手指把它们唤醒，使它们进入高度活跃的状态；
their blood is immediately stirred（搅动） and they are spurred（驱使） on to proceed with their nightly hunt.
它们的血液立刻被搅动起来，驱使着它们继续在夜间捕猎。
Unlike other big cats, such as lions or tigers, who prowl（潜行） mostly on the ground, leopards prefer dwelling in the trees.
其他像狮子或老虎这类的大型猫科动物主要在地面上行动，与它们不同的是，豹子更喜欢住在树上。
They are highly skilled tree climbers, and in turn, the trees provide them with great protection from the danger posed by rivals（对手）, notably lions that live in the same area.
它们很擅长爬树，而树木则为它们提供了强大的保护，使它们免受竞争对手的威胁，尤其是生活在同一地区的狮子。
Their brownish-yellow coat is covered with square-shaped or circular spots, which, bearing a striking resemblance（相似） to the dapple（斑点） of sunlight on the trees, give them excellent camouflage.
它们棕黄色的皮毛上覆盖着方形或圆形的斑点，这些斑点与树上的斑驳阳光有着惊人的相似之处，为它们提供了极好的伪装。
From its vantage point high up on a thick tree branch, a leopard zeroes in on everything below. Nothing, not even the swish of a gazelle's（瞪羚） tail, can escape its observation.
一只豹子占据着高处一根粗树枝上的有利位置，注视着下面的一切。任何东西，甚至是瞪羚尾巴的摆动，都逃不过它的眼睛。
When night falls, the energy preserved and accumulated during the day is now ready to be unleashed.
当夜幕降临，白天保存和积累的能量就可以释放了。
In less than three steps, it nimbly（敏捷地） bounds off the tree, and starts heading in the direction of a nearby herd（畜群）.
不到三步，它就敏捷地从树上跳下来，开始向附近的牧群走去。
Slowly but steadily, it creeps closer to its target, all the while making as little commotion as possible so as to not expose itself.
它缓慢而稳步地靠近目标，同时尽可能少地制造骚动，以免暴露自己。
Seen from above, the only indication of its movement is the cautious rise and fall of its angular shoulders.
从上面看，它唯一的动作迹象就是它那棱角分明的肩膀在小心翼翼地起伏。
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