Persian Leopard
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| Panthera pardus saxicolor Pocock, 1927 |
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor), or Iranian leopard is one of the subspecies of leopards that's native to western Asia, The Persian leopard is endangered through out its distribution area in the Middle East.
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[edit] Description
The Persian leopard is said to be the largest of all the subspecies of leopards in the world. It can grow to up to 1.5 to 2.7 feet tall at the shoulder, and weigh as much as 155 lbs. Before 1990, when Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Turkmenistan were the Soviet republics, the scientific names of the leopard used in these countries were P.p. tulliana and P.p. ciscaucasica, whereas the name P.p. saxicolor had been traditionally used by the western specialists for the cats in Iran and, partially, Afghanistan.
[edit] Range/Habitat
It thrives in Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and northwestern Afghanistan. Habitat varies from mountain steppe to grasslands, or anywhere having a reasonable amount of cover and a supply of prey. Unconfirmed reports of big cats in the far southeast of Turkey might also pertain to these animals; see the Caspian Tiger article for details.
[edit] Persian Leopard in Armenia
In Armenia, the Persian leopards live in the juniper sparse forests and, to a lesser extent, in arid and mountain grasslands, subalpine and alpine meadows. Their haunts are extremely rough and rocky places with plenty of cliffs. This predator uses the same trails during regular movements, so knowing where they are, the researcher can find the evidence of leopard existence such as scats, tracks and scrapes. The leopard in Armenia is threatened by disturbance, poaching, and wild fire, but which of these factors are most stressful for this cat is still unclear. The leopard can also be found in the Shikahogh State Preserve.
[edit] Iran
The main range of this species in Iran closely overlaps with that of Bezoar Ibex. Hence, it is found throughout Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges, as well as smaller ranges within the Iranian plateau. Leopard population is very sparse, due to loss of habitat, loss of natural prey, and population fragmentation.
Traditionally, large populations were found in northern Khorasan, Golestan, Mazandaran, Gilan, Fars, Ardabil, Kurdistan, Lorestan, West Azarbaijan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Esfahan provinces. Leopards do not usually enter the deep desert interior of the country. Apart from Bezoar Ibex, wild sheep, boar, deer (either Maral red deer or roe deer), and domestic animals constitute leoprads' diet in Iran.
[edit] Food/Hunting
A leopard's diet varies depending on where it thrives. The Persian leopard's diet varies from small mammals and birds, to larger animals such as, deer, antelope, Bezoar ibex, and occasionally wild boar. The animal silently stalks its prey, and then strikes out of nowhere, ending with a bite to the throat.
[edit] Biology
For the Persian leopard, gestation period lasts for 3 to 4 months. Females reach sexual maturity at about two and a half years of age. The offspring consists of usually 3 cubs.
[edit] Threats
This species is listed as endangered and commercial trade of this species is prohibited by international law. The Persian leopard has been threatened due to persecution, habitat loss, and poaching. It is also one of the animals in western Asia which is suffering from warfare in its range.
[edit] References
- Ministry of Nature Protection, Yerevan, Armenia
- Center of Ecological studies, Yerevan, Armenia
- M. Jahanshai. 2002. Population status of the Persian Leopard in Iran.
- Woodroffe, R. 2000. Predators and people 165-173.
- Zulfiqar, A. 2001. Leopard in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. Cat News 35: 9-10.
- Shakula, V. 2004. First record of leopard in Kazakhstan. Cat News 41: 11-12.
- Gasparyan, K.M. and F.S. Agadjanyan. 1974. The panther in Armenia. Biological Journal of Armenia 27: 84-87.
[edit] External links
