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FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
What is the largest leopard species native to western Asia? If you are unable to recall, don't worry! It's a Persian leopard. Are you excited to know few facts about these leopards? Continue reading our article.
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor), also known as a Caucasian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica), is native to the Caucasus region: Turkey, Iran, Southern Russia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Armenia. Till 1927, the Persian and Caucasian leopards were considered a different species. But research studies in different areas of Persia classified them as the same species, and the scientific names P. p. ciscaucasica and P. p. saxicolor are mentioned as synonyms of P. p. tulliana. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Persian leopard belongs to a monophyletic group derived from the African and the Arabian leopard in the second half of the Pleistocene.
Read this article to learn more facts about the Persian leopard, and if you like reading, do consider our articles on Florida panther facts and canis panther facts.
The Persian leopard is the largest of all leopard subspecies in the world.
The Persian leopard is a mammal that belongs to the genus Panthera.
The captive and wild population of the Persian leopards are estimated to be 871-1290 mature individuals across the world. Furthermore, as per the census provided by the European Endangered Species Programme in December 2011, there were 112 leopards in zoos worldwide, comprising both males and females.
Out of the estimated population, Iran houses around 550-850 cats, especially in its northwestern boundary. Afghanistan houses around 200-300 cats, while southern Turkmenistan houses 78-90 cats. Armenia and Azerbaijan house more than 30 cats, while the Russian North Caucasus, Georgia, and Turkey house less than 10 individuals in each region.
A significant population of Persian leopards is found in subalpine meadows, rugged ravines, temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, mountain steppes, rocky slopes, and sparse juniper forests.
The natural habitat of a Persian leopard varies from mountain steppes to grasslands. Its population is spread across the Caucasus, in Turkey, Iran, Southern Russia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Armenia. The Alborz mountain range in northern Iran and Zagros mountains in southern Iran is considered the home for these leopards. Persian leopards are occasionally spotted in Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Generally, leopards prefer to spend most of their time alone. They have their territory and warn other leopards to stay away by leaving scratches on trees, urinating, and pooping. Male and female leopards cross territories only for mating.
The average lifespan of a Persian leopard is 10-15 years in the wild, and it can survive up to 20 years in captivity.
Usually, the Persian leopard participates in breeding throughout the year. However, in the wild, the breeding season is in the winter season. The female leopard (leopardess) gives birth to two to four cubs after a gestation period of 90-105 days. Their cubs are born with closed eyes and have thicker fur than the adult. They are dependent on their mother for food and follow her on hunting trips. However, the Persian leopard cub becomes independent at the age of nearly 18 months and separates from its mother.
Since 2016, the Persian leopard is classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) or the Caucasian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) is one of the largest of the eight recognized leopard subspecies. The body of this big cat is covered with grayish, slightly reddish fur with black rose-like markings known as rosettes on its back and flanks in large size, smaller rosettes on the shoulder and upper legs, and black spots on the neck and head. The Persian leopard has an average body length of 62 in (157 cm), a 7.2 in (18 cm) long skull, and a 37 in (93 cm) long tail. It looks gigantic because of its stockier body with short legs and usually weighs up to 155 lb (70 kg).
The Persian leopard's gigantic body, color, and walking style make it appealing. More than an adult cat, Persian leopard cubs are cute.
Like tigers, lions, and jaguars, the Caucasian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) makes rough and rasping sounds like a roar and growl to indicate its presence, communicate with other individuals. In addition, it marks its territory with claw marks, feces, and urine to warn other leopards.
The Persian leopard is considered to be the largest of all the subspecies. It usually grows up to 1.5-2.7 ft (0.5-1.0 m) tall at the shoulder and a head and body length of nearly 75 in (190.5 cm). Usually, males grow to be larger than females.
Generally, leopards are fast-moving animals. They run at a speed of 36 mph (58 kph) while hunting. In addition to their speed, they can jump 20 ft forward and leap 10 feet straight upward.
Like other leopards, the male weighs more than the female.
Males usually weigh 81.5-198 lb (37-90 kg), while females weigh 62-132 lb (28-60 kg)
Generally, a male is called a Persian leopard, while a female is known as a Persian leopardess.
The babies of a Persian leopard are referred to as cubs.
Persian leopards are carnivores, and their diet varies across their habitat range. These animals adapt quickly to the changes in their diet depending on the availability of its prey. They primarily prey on roe deer, onager, goitered gazelle, mouflon, and west caucasian tur.
Caucasian leopards (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica) are not venomous. Instead, they usually kill their prey by piercing their hooked claws and biting the prey's neck or throat with their sharp and strong teeth.
The Persian leopard is a wild animal with heavy diet requirements. That's why they cannot be domesticated as a pet and also, it is illegal to domesticate endangered species.
Do you know which species are considered the most intelligent cat among lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards? The answer is leopards, as leopards have better hunting and escaping skills than lions, tigers, and jaguars. In addition, leopards are known for their climbing ability. They often carry their prey up into trees to avoid losing it to their natural predators like lions and hyenas.
In Iran, the Persian leopard plays a prominent role in controlling agricultural pests like the Indian crested porcupine and wild boar.
The Persian Leopard is indigenous to the Caucasus, while the African Leopard (with the scientific name Panthera pardus pardus) is native to many countries in Africa. Both animals are classified as endangered in IUCN red list. Like the Persian leopard, efforts are made to protect the African leopard population by breeding them in protected areas, including: Etosha National Park, Kruger National Park, Tai National Park, Virunga National Park.
The natural predators of leopards are lions and hyenas. However, primary reasons for the Persian leopard's endangered status are poaching, deforestation, disturbance caused by livestock breeding, and human-induced fires in the wild.
As part of conservation efforts, reintroduction projects are planned. For example, as part of the leopard breeding and reintroduction program, the Leopard Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre in Russia's Sochi National Park has received two leopards from Turkmenistan. Their offspring were released into the Caucasus Biosphere Reserve and Alaniya National Park.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including these panther facts and jaguar facts.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our persian leopard coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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