Author
Abstract
Carnivores play great ecological roles in ecosystems because of placing on top of the food pyramid. Food habits of large carnivores are associated with important ecological features such as spatial pattern, movement, habitat selection, social structure, geographical distribution and reproductive success. Accordingly, in this study was used scat analysis to determine the diet of persian leopards in Sarigol National Park using percent of occurrence index. The results showed that diet of leopards in the Sarigol National Park includes a high diversity of wild boar (Sus scrofa), wild goat (Capra aegagrus), wild sheep (Ovis orientalis), tolai hare (Lepus tolai), common fox (Vulpes vulpes), Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica), domesticated animals; dog, horse, bird and plant materials. Wild sheeps have the largest share and rabbits and horses have the lowest share in the diet of this species. Undoubtedly, identifying food habits of leopard and maintaining prey populations can improve management programs and conservation status.
Keywords: Food pyramid, Scat, Food habits
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