Largest leopard subspecies

The largest subspecies of leopard are the Persian leopard Panthera pardus saxicolor, native to Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and the Caucasus, and the Sri Lankan leopard P. p. kotiya. In both subspecies, males weigh up to 91 kg. It is interesting to note that both of these subspecies inhabit regions where lions and tigers are absent, thereby allowing the leopard to grow to a greater size and become the top mammalian predator.

Over the years, there has been much controversy as to just how many valid subspecies of leopard exist, with as many as 27 having been recognized at one point. Presently, nine are recognized by the IUCN, based upon DNA analyses, but as the genetics of some African populations have not been thoroughly analysed, there may be additional ones there that still await formal recognition.