Panthera pardus saxicolor

Persian leopards have a head and body length of 3.5 to 6 feet. Their shoulder height is 1.5 to 2.5 feet and a weight between 66 to 155 lbs. Males are larger and heavier than females. The coat is variable, essentially black spots on a fawn to pale-fawn background. The inside of the spots may be rust-colored.

Persian leopards are more densely haired, with finer hair, and are more cold-tolerant than Panthera pardus of Africa and India. The hind-limbs are larger than the forelimbs to facilitate jumping. Forward-looking eyes allow for depth perception and the ability to isolate and capture prey. The forepaws are equipped with long, retractile claws to grab and hold prey. The rough tongue is designed to peel the skin of the prey animal away from the flesh, and the flesh from the bone.

This is a solitary animal, seeking a mate only during the breeding season. They are nocturnal, doing their hunting at night, and rest during the day. Leopards are considered the best stalkers among the big cats. They close in silently, attack swiftly, then usually drag their catch into a tree for safekeeping.

They are strong swimmers, but are not as fond of water as the tiger. Their eyesight is keen, and their sense of smell is better developed than that of the tiger. They are territorial, marking primarily with urine or calls. Their roar sounds like a saw rasping on coarse wood. They are good climbers.The cubs are born blind and fur-covered, and are kept hidden from 6 to 8 weeks.