The Barbary Leopard or North African Leopard has been described originally as a separate subspecies (Panthera pardus panthera) of the leopard. It is native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa. However, according to recent genetic data, the subspecies status is probably not valid, because there are no significant genetic differences to other African leopards, which are supposed to represent one single subspecies, the African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus)[1].
The leopard is very rare in northern Africa. Only small populations persist in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algier and a few remain also in Egypt[2].
The species has a very thick coat of fur, as compared to other leopards, that suits its cold mountain habitat. It preys on Barbary apes, antelopes and some small animals.[3].
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- ^ Uphyrkina, O.; Johnson, E.W.; et al. (November 2001). "Phylogenetics, genome diversity and origin of modern leopard, Panthera pardus". Molecular Ecology 10 (11): 2617–2633. doi:10.1046/j.0962-1083.2001.01350.x. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.0962-1083.2001.01350.x?cookieSet=1. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ Kristin Nowell,Peter Jackson,IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group: Wild cats: status survey and conservation action plan. Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature et de ses Ressources,Switzerland (Juni 1993). ISBN 2831700450
- ^ Breitenmoser, U., Breitenmoser-Wursten, C., Henschel, P. & Hunter, L. 2008. Panthera pardus. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1.
