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Region: Eurasia Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Uncia Scientific Name: Uncia uncia
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Description:
The head is relatively small and rounded. The forelimbs are shorter than the hind limbs. The paws are large and the bottoms are covered with fur. The most characteristic feature is the long, thick tail, which is almost the same length of the body. The tip of the tail is black dorsally and almost white ventrally.
Body Length: 1.0 - 1.3 m
Length of Tail: 0.8 - 1.0 m
Shoulder Height: 60 cm
Weight: 25 - 75 kg (the male is generally heavier)
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Distribution:
Primarily in the Himalayan Mountains, from Myanmar moving west through China, Nepal, India, Pakistan and back east through Kazakstan, Mongolia and the Gobi Desert.
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Habitat:
Found inhabiting areas of rocky wilderness, snow fields, glaciers and alpine meadows on the edge of juniper and spruce forests. Known to migrate seasonally from higher to lower zones (summer to winter).
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Food:
Chiefly ungulates: prey includes wild sheep (blue sheep or bharal) ibex, wild boar, gazelles, hares, pikas, markhor, bobak, tahr, marmots, mice, deer and ground-dwelling birds (pheasants, partridges and snowcocks).
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Reproduction and Development:
Breeding season is usually January to mid-March with births occurring between April to June. After a gestation period of 90-103 days, the female gives birth to 2-3 cubs. The cubs are born in a rocky shelter lined with the mother’s fur. The cubs weigh about 450 grams each at birth and are born with their eyes closed. They open their eyes after 7 days, nurse for about 3-4 months but eat their first solid food at 2 months. They begin to follow their mother after 3 months and will hunt with her during their first winter of life. Snow leopards are fully-grown at about 1½ years, and reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age for females and at 3 years for males. Snow leopards live about 15 years in the wild, 19-20 years in captivity.
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Adaptations:
Hearing and vision are well developed. Snow leopards are well adapted to living in the cold mountain temperatures. Snow leopards have a very long outer fur coat and a shorter fur undercoat that helps them stay warm and dry in the cold. It has a long, very thick tail that may be curled around the face and body acting as a scarf in cold weather. Thick fur pads on the back legs above the ankle protects it against cold and ice. Large broad paws with furry bottoms act as snowshoes enabling the animal to walk on the snow without sinking. Small rounded ears and head reduce heat loss. A well-developed chest and enlarged nasal cavity are adaptations to the cold thin air of their high altitude home.
The snow leopard is a powerful, agile animal capable of making huge leaps, measuring as far as 15 meters. Short forelimbs and long hind limbs provide increased agility in the steep and rugged habitat and the long tail aids in balance when jumping from rock to rock. Snow leopards stalk their prey and usually spring from a distance of 6 to 15m. They prefer to kill male ungulates because their large horns make them easy to unbalance when attacked from uphill. These cats eat slowly and remain by the kill for several days, protecting it from scavengers such as vultures or ravens until all meat is consumed. The snow leopard is a solitary creature, only pairing during the breeding season or when females are accompanied by their young. Snow leopards occupy large territories, denning in rocky caverns and crevices. They can live on slopes of 30 degrees and sometimes steeper. Snow leopards are considered nocturnal, but seem to be most active in the early morning and late afternoon. They do not roar but have several vocalizations, including a loud moaning associated with attracting a male.
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Threats to Survival:
Snow leopards are hunted for their pelts; bones, and body parts are taken for use in traditional Asian medicine. They are threatened by the depletion of their natural prey base due to competition with livestock and from humans hunting wild mountain sheep and goats for trophies and food. Snow leopards are persecuted by herders who retaliate by trapping, poisoning, or shooting them. Snow leopards also suffer from the degradation, loss, and fragmentation of their habitat.
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Status:
Endangered
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Zoo Diet:
Toronto Zoo carnivore mix, chicken, bones, a guinea pig and a rabbit once a week
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The New Tundra Trek