Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor)

[Pckts]

@Styx38 

Quote:What's the point of the largest supply of ungulates when the leopard usually focuses on small to mid sized animals?

It has the largest biomass of small to midsized ungulates "Leopard" prey as well.

Quote:Even if this study is wrong, both the animals touch the 300 kg mark. Same thing with the Sambar Deer.

There are a few instances of Leopards killing adult zebra, but nothing compared to frequency of killing Okapi:

Again, there is no higher frequency of Okapi kills in Leopards diet.
In fact, the one study on Congo Basin Prey selection shows no Okapi predation but high dulkier and red hog but since Okapi are rarer and appear in less places obviously they are going to be not as represented. But again, you're comparing a rare animal to Wildebeest and Zebra which contribute to the greatest migration on earth. 
And yes, males and sub adults Okapis have been predated on by Leopards but nothing unseen in Zebra, Kudu, Eland, Wildebeest etc.  
Sambar are taller but leaner, Zebra and Wildebeest are similar height but Zebra are even more robust but both are more robust than Sambar. 
Animals come in all shapes and sizes, most aren't near the maximum, they are usually far less impressive than you realize. 
And Zebra still show up just as often enough along with other animals that are larger than Okapi as well.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Quote:Also, isn't the Congo considered Central Africa?

There is no difference, except that the available prey with in the prime weight is much higher in one area compared to another and thus offers far more options.

The Ngorongoro Crater is in Tanzania, same with the Serengeti, Selous and Tarangire.
All of which show major differences in terrain, climate and animal biomass.

In Central Africa you can go from the Rainforests in the Congo Basin *which all have different habitats* to the Okavanga Delta in Botswana and so on.
Africa is gigantic, the parks are very different from one another.
Even with in a park, the terrain and habitat can change drastically, for instance in the Serengeti you have an area called the Ndutu Plains that looks like an oasis, out of no where there are year round water bodies and its like something you'd see in paradise. In Kanha, you can go from one zone like Kilsi which is relatively flat with Meadows then you can go to the Sarhi Zone which is extremely hilly and dense vegetation with higher elevation.



Another example of the importance of prey biomass is this one right here that you like to use

*This image is copyright of its original author

If you notice in this exact study, when these parks were compared to the Serengeti in Leopard Density, they weren't close. This also coming from a park which has one of the highest populations of Lions on earth and reason why has to do with the prey biomass. 
Like the mention in the study, Prey biomass is small in the Kalahari, the vegetation is sparse and spread about, this is completely different compared to the Serengeti. 
Also in that study they speak on how rarely a Leopards kill was actually lost to another predator. 

Quote:If the animal produces more heavy weights in proportion per population, wouldn't that still mean the subspecies is the biggest?

Also, don't forget prey size.

How would we know per population?
You have a few at 80+ kgs and many more at 50+kg and their average per population is no different at the moment than other locations.
You are talking about a handful of individuals compared to 1000s of Africans and you have numerous Leopards from all over Africa that have matched.
But again, all that being said, I have always said that Persians are probably the largest sub species, at least in frame.


Again, what about prey size?
Average prey size for Persians is no different than anywhere else.

Lastly is that I don't even know what is being discussed anymore.... it's twisting and turning all over the place. 
This discussion started when Liuppard stated Congo Basin Leopards were Jaguar sized and twisted and turned to where we are now.
TBH I'm calling it quits on this topic after this for bit.
No new information is being presented nor will our point of views change. Reply