Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor)

[Luipaard]

(05-23-2019, 09:49 PM)Pckts Wrote:  This discussion started when Liuppard stated Congo Basin Leopards were Jaguar sized and twisted and turned to where we are now.

No it all started with the size difference between jaguars and leopards overall. Many thought the difference was huge but fact is, there's an overlapping in general with Central African (male) leopards getting close to the larger jaguars. This is based on skull measurements.

*This image is copyright of its original author

6 adult male skulls from Gabon and the surrounding countries averaged 10.2 inches long and 6.6 inches wide (255.4 and 164.6mm). Amazon male jaguars average skull length and width of 262.7 and 175.9mm. Larger male leopards overlap with Pantanal male jaguar skulls.

We all know jaguars have large, broad skulls. I find it very hard to believe that those leopards average 60kg while they have skulls that rival a 80kg Amazon jaguar. 

Here's what I learned after researching:

• They have a larger appereance and look more robust
• A Panthera researcher also noticed the above
• Their average skull size is higher than any other subspecies; the so called largest subspecies, the Persian leopard, only comes close while big South African leopard struggle to reach those averages.
• Skull measurements are a good indicator to estimate an animal its size
• Their average skull size overlap with Amazon male jaguars and Pantanal jaguaresses who average between 75-85kg.
• The larger skulls from these male leopards overlap with Pantanal jaguars
• They're bigger and more robust becouse they're adapted to tackle larger prey; their primary prey are red river hogs for males and duikers for females
  

This isn't a new discussion btw. I just wanted to tell everyone my point of view. You have your point of view and I respect that even though we have different opinion regarding this. Reply