| Persian Leopard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana), also called the Iranian leopard, the Caucasian leopard, the Central Asian leopard, the Anatolian leopard, the Turkish leopard, or the Asia Minor leopard is the largest leopard subspecies native to the Caucasus region, southern Turkmenistan, northern Iran and parts of western Afghanistan. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List; the population is estimated at fewer than 871–1,290 mature individuals and considered declining. Leopards possibly also occur in northern Iraq.
A phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Persian leopard matrilineally belongs to a monophyletic group that diverged from a group of Asian leopards in the second half of the Pleistocene.
The diet of the Persian Leopard varies depending on habitat. Their principal prey is ungulates such as Bezoar goat, roe deer, Goitered gazelle, West Caucasian tur, mouflon, urial, and wild boar. They also prey on smaller wildlife such as Crested porcupine and Cape hare, and occasionally attack livestock and herd dogs.
Studies reveal that the presence of leopards in Iran is highly correlated with the presence of wild goat and wild sheep. Opportunistic predation on smaller prey species is also probable. An attack by a leopard on an onager was also recorded.