Snow Leopard

Snow Leopards have several other names: Ounce, Uncia Panthera, Felis uncia, Felis irbis, Panthera uncia, Barfani Chita, Bars, Bharal He, Chen, Hiu Chituwa, Ikar, Irbis, Irvis, Léopard des Neiges, Leopardo das Neves, Leopardo de las Nieves, Leopardo Nival, Once, Ounce, Palang-I-Barfi (Berfy), Pantera de la Nieves, Panthère des Neiges, Sarken, Schneeleopard, Shan, Snezhnai Bars, Sniezna Pantera, Xue Bao and Felid. Its siblings are known as Clouded Leopard, forming a link between the species of small and big cats. The Snow Leopard can be distinguished from other similar species by its disproportionately long tail, which serves as a balancing aid on the rugged terrain of its habitat. The Snow Leopard's tail also functions as a warming blanket in bitterly cold winter weather, when the Leopard protectively covers its nose and mouth. The male's head is more square and wider than that of the female. Snow Leopards aren't only externally different from yellow Leopards, but also distinguished by their lack of ability to roar, which is quite remarkable given the fact that all Leopards possess a cartilaginous hyoid apparatus which is essential in allowing the big cats to roar. So, why is the Snow Leopard not using this device? One of the many mysteries of Fauna!

Snow Leopards live in Asia only, mostly the Central and Southern regions of rugged mountain approximately 1,230,000 square kilometers, extending over 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Tibet, India, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Interestingly, these big cats do not have a long life-span: The life span of a Snow Leopard is normally 15-18 years, but in captivity they may become up to 20 years old. The body weight of a fully grown Snow Leopard is approximately 75 lbs.

Habitat
Snow Leopards have been recorded living in mountain steppes and coniferous forest scrub at altitudes from 2000-6000m. In the summer, they frequent alpine meadows and rocky areas but in the winter they may descend to lower elevations following migrating prey.

Diet
Snow leopards are opportunistic predators and can take prey up to three times their own weight. The main part of their diet is made up of wild sheep and goats. They also feed on marmots, musk deer, pika, hare, birds and domestic livestock. Prey is either stalked or ambushed.

Behaviour
Snow leopards are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and are solitary, although males and females have been known to hunt together during the breeding season.

They have a broad home range covering about 160 sq.km because of the lack of abundant prey. Snow leopards cannot roar which helps to separate them from the big cats.

Reproduction
Snow leopards mate between December and March and after 98-104 days of gestation, females give birth to one to five cubs (usually two or three). The cubs stay with their mothers for at least a year.

Conservation status
Snow leopards are listed as Endangered by the IUCN and are on CITES: Appendix I, mainly due to hunting for their fur. They are protected throughout most of their range but they are still hunted illegally. There are estimated to be only 4,500 to 7,500 snow leopards remaining in the wild.