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Snow Leopard
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Mammals |
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Asia |
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Felidae |
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35 to 55 K.G |
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Mountains |
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Mammals |
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98 to 104 days |
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1 to 5 |
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Wolves |
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Endangered |
Its long bushy tail acts as a scarf during cold weather.
The snow leopard can weigh between 35 to 70 kg (77 to 154 lbs), according to the sexes, the male being larger than the female. The body’s length can vary between 1,0 to 1,3 m (3 to 4 feet) and the tail can measure from 0,8 to 1,0 m long (32 to 39 in). It is wonderfully well adapted to extreme climates and to the mountain life. Its greyish fur is covered with rosettes, this thick fur protects it from the cold and helps for camouflage in the snowy and rocky terrains. This big cat has a very long tail, a muscular breast, short legs and large feet to walk on the snow.
Its agility is incredible in such rough terrain. Because of its strong muscular body it is able to perform a standing jump ranging from 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) and from 6 to 8 meters (20 to 26 feet) while taking a run up. It is a nocturnal predator which has well developed senses with good hearing and excellent night vision. The snow leopard lives in the mountains and high plateaux of Central Asia at altitudes of up to 5 500 meters (18,000 feet). There are populations in China, in Kirghizstan and in Mongolia. The habitat is characterized with cliffs at higher altitudes or coniferous forests at low altitudes. This is a solitary predator which feeds mostly on ungulates of average size including deer, wild sheep, Himalayan thar, ibex and musk deer. A female snow leopard usually gives birth to two to three young in average after a gestation period of 98 to 104 days. An adult has no natural predators, only a wolf can try to attack a young. An individual can live up to 15 years in nature. This big cat is endangered of extinction because of hunting for its beautiful fur and for the bones, and because of conflicts with humans which hunt it because of cattle killings.