behind the big cat's and bear's, who is the top predator?

[Shadow]

When I look at this new discussion, that table about leopard and tiger in post #109 didn´t enlighten me in any way. That looks like some statistic about kills of tigers and leopards in some area, I didn´t see any source mentioned and nothing more to explain what it was all about. 

What comes to #116, there sources were ok, but those studies seemed to have nothing to do with previous quotes etc. But in those people making studies gave clear statement, that leopards hunt bigger prey regularly, when no bigger carnivores present. But I didn´t see any clear statistics, which would be interesting to see when something like that is said. 

In a way it sounds logical, that leopard might kill more often bigger prey when there is no fear to get robbed immediately by an animal, which leopard don´t dare to challenge at all. But I too would be interested to see some clear numbers and comparisons to understand how that statement is justified. Or maybe I really have to read that study more carefully. But if there is no comparison tables showing leopard hunting habits in areas without bigger predators compared to areas with them, this issue remains a bit unclear.

Then again whatever that situation is, I don´t quite understand what this discussion has to do with this thread? First there was discussion about cougars compared to leopards and now this is debate about leopards alone. Leopards can hunt quite big prey, so do cougars. So I try to understand now, what is relevant in this debate when looking at this thread and question asked in the beginning :) Reply