Even though snow leopards are classified into the genus Panthera, they resemble a great amount of similarity to tigers.… Its fur is very long and thick to protect it against the cold. Size and Weight: They are probably not as big as other cats such as tigers are, but they do survive in areas where no other big cat dares to live. The snow leopard’s powerful build allows it to scale great steep slopes with ease. Snow Leopards a solitary animals meaning they like to live alone.. The snow leopard is still occasionally called ounce. Herders sometimes kill snow leopards to prevent or retaliate against predation of their domestic animals. Previously classified in the genus Uncia, recent genetic testing has resulted in a taxonomical shift to the genus Panthera, which consists of other true big cats like lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars. Snow leopards can be found throughout high mountain ranges, including the Himalayas and the southern Siberian mountains in Russia. Climate change is raising the average temperature across the snow leopardâs home range, which scientists believe will shrink the species' alpine habitat and drive competition with other predators like leopards, wild dogs, and tigers. In the Summer months snow leopards will stay high up in the mountains, in the Winter months they will come down from the mountains and enter forests.. That said, creating protected areas for these big cats has only helped so much: According to one study, 40 percent of those protected areas are too small for the wide-roaming snow leopard. They are shy and reclusive, and rarely seen in the wild. Snow leopards are perfectly adapted to the cold, barren landscape of their high-altitude home, but human threats have created an uncertain future for the cats. There is also a demand now for snow leopard bones in traditional Chinese medicine as a substitute for tiger bones. It has a height of 22 inches or 56 centimeters. Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/s/snow-leopard.html. Snow leopards are about 2-5 meters long in the body, and have a 90-100 centimeter long tail. Protected areas have been established throughout their range, including sanctuaries in Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan. Due to their excellent camouflage, elusive behavior and small numbers snow leopards are rarely seen in the wild and are difficult to study. Snow leopards prey upon the blue sheep (bharal) of Tibet and the Himalayas, as well as the mountain ibex found over most of the rest of their range. Snow leopards are unique and have many factors that separate them from the other big cats in the world. Surefooted climbers, snow leopards have been seen at altitudes as high as 18,000 feet (6,000 meters) in summer. However, snow leopards are still fairly big animals, weighing around 25-55+ kg (60-120+ lbs). Check out the facts below! A baby is called a cub. Snow leopards also have very long, thick tails that they use for balancing on rocks and wrapping around their bodies for protection from the cold. Snow leopards are around 75-150cm from head to the base of the tail, with the tail adding on another 80-105cm, which makes them smaller than the other big cats. They can also be found in the Tibetan Plateau and across a range that stretches from China to the mountains of Central Asia. The scientific name for the snow leopard is Panthera uncia. Snow leopard’s hind legs are so powerful that they … They prefer steep, rugged terrain with rocky outcrops where prey can be hard to come by. The snow leopard inhabits the mountains of central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, ranging from an elevation of about 1,800 metres (about 6,000 feet) in the winter to about 5,500 metres (18,000 feet) in the summer. The latter was particularly good news: Kyrgyzstanâs mountains serve as a corridor for snow leopards traveling between the northern and southern ends of their range. Learn about these felines and how they expertly hunt agile prey. Usually 2 or 3 cubs are born in spring or early summer in a well-concealed den lined with the mother’s fur. They aren’t … The snow leopard h… The hair can grow as long as 2 to 4.7 inches or 5 to 12 centimeters. The snow leopard’s fur is thick, greyish on the back and white or creamy-white on the stomach. Snow leopard grow 75 – 150 cm in total length. It is characterized by the dome-shaped head, short muzzle, and larg… Though they may look like Leopard ghosts, genetic tests link Snow Leopards more closely to Tigers. Snow leopards are found at altitudes between 9,800 and 17,000 feet in the high, mountains of Central Asia. These big cats use their long tails for balance and as blankets to cover sensitive body parts against the severe mountain chill. The expansion of human settlement, especially livestock grazing, has led to increased conflict. Snow leopards are solitary, mountain-dwelling mammals found throughout 12 countries in Central and South Asia. Snow leopards live at very high elevations where there are steep cliffs. Despite a range of over 2 million km2, scientist estimate that there may only be between 3,920 and 6,390 snow leopards left in the wild. A long tail provides balance and agility and also wraps around the resting snow leopard as protection from the cold. No Roar. Snow leopards first reproduce at around 2 and a half years old. Snow leopards facts 1. Head to tail tip length is 61 to 100 inches or 155 to 255 centimeters long. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as the ounce, is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia.It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because the global population is estimated to number less than 10,000 mature individuals and is expected to decline about 10% by 2040. Snow leopards are physically the smallest members of the group of animals known as the ‘big cats’. Snow leopards are some of the biggest cats in the world. Snow leopards may be considered among the one of most beautiful creatures on this planet, but they’re also an interesting and special member of the cat family. Unfortunately, there is still a demand for fur coats from snow leopard skins in some countries, but luckily that has greatly diminished. Some cats’ fur is slightly brownish. The Snow Leopards have white to gray fur (white fur on underbelly) and have spots all over their body (small spots on the face and neck and big rosettes on the rest of the body). Much of the information we have has been from research on snow leopards in zoos. A snow leopard photographed at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, Illinois. Their fur keeps them well insulated in cold weather - … In its native lands, the snow leopard is known under many names, including as “wāwrīn pṛāng” (Pashto: واورين پړانګ), “shan” (Ladakhi), “zigsa” (Tibetan), “irves” (Mongolian: ирвэс), “bars” or “barys” (Kazakh: барыс [ˈbɑrəs]), “ilbirs” (Kyrgyz: Илбирс), “barfānī chītā” (Hindi, Urdu: برفانی چیتا), palang-e barfi (Dari: پلنگ برفی) and “him tendua” (Sanskrit, Hindi: हिम तेन्दुआ). Go to the home page of Snow Leopard Trust, View snowleopard.org’s profile on Facebook, View snowleopardtrust’s profile on Instagram, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 325, Seattle, WA 98103, USA, Solo traveller: the snow leopard is usually solitary and highly elusive, Crepuscular: dawn and dusk are the cat’s most active times, Living large: some snow leopards have home ranges of up to 1,000 square kilometers, Single moms: for about 18 months, females raise their cubs – all alone, Cold and dry: the snow leopard primarily lives in arid, barren mountain areas, Gentle: snow leopards are not known to be aggressive toward humans, Carnivorous: the cat’s main prey are ibex, argali and blue sheep. Why are snow leopards so different? Snow leopards are perfectly adapted to the cold, barren landscape of their high-altitude home, but human threats have created an uncertain future for the cats. Snow leopards are unique amongst the big cats for a number of reasons and as a result demonstrate several interesting biological concepts. The snow leopard’s range spans 12 countries and two million km2 in Asia, with 50 percent of their habitat found in China alone. They have grey and white fur with dark rosettes and spots, and their tails have stripes. Snow Leopard Facts Known throughout the world for its beautiful fur and elusive behavior, the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is found in the rugged mountains of Central Asia. This medium sized cat is very well adapted to living in the cold, mountainous regions. Others are building awareness about the important role these big cats play in their environment. Strangely, their scientific name (which was recently changed from Uncia uncia) was originally used to describe the European Lynx, and … 6. They are one of the cats which cannot purr. Latin Name: Panthera uncia Colour: White and yellow, with black stripes and spots. The coloration of the snow leopard gives it great camouflage. Adult males weigh 60 – 121 pounds whereas females weigh up to 55 pounds only. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/s/snow-leopard The other name for the snow leopard is the "ounce." A WWF study recorded snow leopards living at the highest altitude ever documented for big cats — 5,859 metres above sea level — about the same height as Canada’s highest mountain. Facts about snow leopard: 1. The snow leopard's long, thick, and luxurious tail acts as a built-in comforter when the cat wraps it around its body for added warmth. They use their long tails for balance and as blankets to cover sensitive body parts against the severe mountain chill. Snow Leopards are really big. About Snow Leopards. © Tahir Abbas/Getty Length: 2.3m (about 7′ 6″) Habitat: The slopes of mountains (up to heights of about 3000 metres) Range: Mountainous regions of Asia (including, Russia, Tibet and China) Facts About Snow Leopards. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- Their short forelimbs and long hind limbs make them very agile, and they can j… 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. They have a small and decreasing population throughout a large … Snow leopards have powerful legs and are tremendous jumpers, able to leap as far as 50 feet. Snow Leopard Facts for Kids. The color of its eyes is green or grey. (This group also includes lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars.) Its hind legs give the snow leopard the ability to leap six times the length of its body. Click here for more animal facts Click here for leopard facts Scientific name for a snow leopard is unica unica. Snow leopards can walk over 30 kilometers per day. Snow Leopards like steep, rocky terrain. Though these powerful predators can kill animals three times their weight, they also eat smaller fare, such as marmots, hares, and game birds. They weigh up to 75 kilograms. Basic Snow Leopard Facts 1. Its patterned coat helps it blend in with the steep rocky slopes above the tree line in the Asian mountains. Thick fur and an incredibly long tail – up to 100 cm (3ft 3.4i… Snow leopards have thick grey and yellow-tinged fur, with solid spots on their head, neck and lower limbs and rosettes over the rest of the body. Snow Leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia including […] One Indian snow leopard, protected and observed in a national park, is reported to have consumed five blue sheep, nine Tibetan woolly hares, 25 marmots, five domestic goats, one domestic sheep, and 15 birds in a single year. It Can Jump Six Times Its Length. These cats appear to be in dramatic declineâthey've lost at least 20 percent of their population in two decades as a result. Moreover, there are black or dark brown spots on the fur. 8. Snow leopards can jump and pounce on prey as far as six times their body length. Vanishing habitat and the decline of the catsâ large mammal prey are also contributing factors. Their feet are also big and furry, which helps them to walk on snoweasier. A snow leopard cub. At 3 months old, they begin following their mother and start to learn important behavior like hunting. They can leap six times the length of their body. They are insulated by thick hairâin shades of gray or creamy yellow and covered with grayish black spotsâand their wide, fur-covered feet act as natural snowshoes. WWF relies on spot patterns to identify individual snow leopards when conducting camera trap research. In recent years, a concerted effort has begun to save snow leopards. The wild goats and sheep they prey on are quite nimble at leaping from rock to rock—and so are snow leopards! Their thick, massive tails, which shield them from the harsh weather and help maintain balance, are almost as long as their entire body. Snow Leopard facts 3. The cat's huge paws have fur on the bottom that gives the leopard traction on the snow and protection from sharp rocks. Village people in the Himalayas who share the snow leopard’s habitat call it the “ghost of the mountains” because they rarely see it. Rosettes are large rings enclosing smaller spots. 2. A male snow leopard is called a leopard. snow leopard (Panthera uncia or Uncia uncia) Snow leopards generally weigh between 25-55kg, although some large males have been recorded weighing up to 75kg. The genus name, Uncia, is derived from the Old French word once, which was originally used for the European lynx. FUN FACTS. Snow leopards live alone most of their lives. The snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN-World Conservation Union’s Red List of the Threatened Species. Known throughout the world for its beautiful fur and elusive behavior, the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is found in the rugged mountains of Central Asia. The most astounding snow leopard facts. A female is called a leopardess. Snow leopardsâone of the worldâs most elusive catsâare perfectly equipped to thrive in extreme, high-elevation habitats. The snow leopard – known as the ‘ghost of the mountains’ – is one of the most enigmatic and least understood of the big cats. Thatâs why these carnivores require an enormous amount of space to roam: Male leopards require up to 80 square milesâan area bigger than three Manhattansâwhile females have ranges of up to 48 square miles. Wild snow leopard in a blizzard in Pakistan. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a rare big cat adapted to life in a cold, harsh environment. It is slightly shorter than the other big cats. For these reasons, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies snow leopards as vulnerable to extinction. They’re well adapted to their cold environment. Their bodies (including their tails) are between 6 and 7.5 feet long. 7. All rights reserved. Their lives are also threatened by poaching, driven by illegal trades in pelts and in body parts used for traditional Chinese medicine. Countries have also been strengthening their enforcement against poaching, and conservation groups work with herders to develop systems to keep snow leopards away from their livestock. The snow leopard shares the genus Panthera with four other members; lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars. They are … Snow Leopard Fact File. 1. At one time here in the US, a coat from a snow leopard sold for up to $50,000.00. As a flagship species, snow leopards are essentially a mascot for their entire ecosystem: If they survive, so will many of the other species in their habitat. 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