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The Snow Leopard is a large cat dwelling in the mountains of central and southern Asia. Weighing up to 165 lbs, the snow leopard falls into the gray area in between “big cats” and “small cats.” Unlike big cats, the snow leopard doesn’t have the ability to roar, even though it has the necessary physiology (a cartilaginous hyoid apparatus) (1)to do so. The Snow Leopard’s diet is carnivorous. Its main source of food comes from wild sheep and goats, as well as Musk Deer, marmots, and many species of birds and hares.(2) It uses the terrain to its advantage, using rocks and shadows to shields its body while stalking its prey. Most of the time, it hunts alone. During breeding season however, males and females sometimes team up. Because the cat is so strong, it can kill animals three times its own size. Mating for the animals takes place in late winter, so that cubs can be born during the relative warmth of springtime.(2) This way, food is more easily caught for the cubs. Usually the litter size is between one and four cubs. Distribution The Snow Leopard can be found in Central Asia, spanning from northern Russia and Mongolia, down to China and Tibet, and finally into the Himalayan areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. (2 )Even though this total area is very large, the areas where the cats actually dwell are scarce, small in area, and extremely fragmented. The Snow Leopard’s range stretches over 2.3 million km2, but its occupied habitat is estimated at just 1.6 million km2.(4) It usually stays between elevations from 2000 to 4000 meters. It can however, make its way into lower terrain in the North, as well us up to 5000 meters in some places. During the summer season, it will follow its prey past the tree line, but is rarely associated with dense forests. The map below shows the stretch of central Asian land that the Snow Leopard occupies.
Habitat Requirements Snow Leopards require cold, mountainous terrain. They are kept warm by a thick fur coat, and have a tail that helps them stay balanced on bumpy rocks and boulders. Every year, the leopard sheds its coat and grows it back thicker and lighter, to better blend in with the snow. They have evolved into lean, muscular animals, surviving harsh weather, and rocky terrain. Living in an ecosystem without these harsh conditions would strip these animals of the advantages they have developed. Closely Related Species Despite the cats' name, it is a closer relative to the Cheetah than it is to Leopards. Like the Cheetah, it has a round skull and long legs. It also had a large tail, which is thought to help balance it in rough mountain terrain. Both the Leopard and Tiger are considered to be distant relatives of the smaller Snow Leopard. There are about 600 snow leopard in captivity today, and unlike other carnivorous cats, they are not known to be aggressive towards humans. Threats Due to the cryptic nature of snow leopards, and the difficult terrain they inhabit, it has been very difficult for scientists to agree on how many individuals exist. (5) Estimates on the number of individuals alive today range from about 4 to 7 thousand.(2) There are two main reasons for the current endangered state of Snow Leopards. The first, is the most common among exotic animals. Snow Leopards are hunted for their beautiful white fur, and are highly valued for their rarity. Secondly, local citizens of Asian countries often kill Snow Leopards in retaliation for the cats preying on their livestock. (8) Yak herders are in constant conflict with them, and often try to get rid of them in hopes of not losing their Yaks. (See bottom of page for estimated individuals per country) |
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Kindom-Animilia
Phylum-Chordata
Class-Mammalia
Order-Carnivora
Family-Felidae
Genus-Uncia
Species-U. Uncia
Subspecies-
U. u. uncia-(Asia, Mongolia, Russia
U. u. uncioides-(China, Himalayas)
Common Names-
Ocelot (E,F)
Gato Onza (S) Manigordo(S) Ocelote(S)
Snow Leopard Link to IUCN |
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2. http://www.agarman.dial.pipex.com/snowlep.htm 3. www.snowleopardconservancy.org 4.IUNC Redlist 5..Jackson, Rodney M.. "Estimating snow leopard population abundance using photography techniques." Wildlife Society Bulletin 6.Bagchi, S. "Living with large carnivores:predation on livestock by the snow leopard." Journal of Zoology 7.Mishra, C. "Mammals of the high altitudes of western Arunachal Pradesh, eastern Himalaya: an assessment of threats and conservation needs." ORYX 8.Ikeda, N. "Economic impacts of livestock depredation by snow leopard Uncia Uncia in the Kanchenjunca Conservation Area, Nepal Himalaya." Environmental Conservation 9.Oli, M. "Diet of the Snow Leopard in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal." Journal of Zoology. 10.Clubb,R. "Natural Behavioral biology as a risk factor in carnivore welfare: How analysing species differences could help zoos improve enclosures." Applied animal behavioral science.
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| Range Country | Habitat Area in sq. km. | Estimated Population |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 50,000 | 100-200 |
| Bhutan | 15,000 | 100-200 |
| China | 1,100,000 | 2,000-5,000 |
| India | 75,000 | 200-600 |
| Kazakhstan | 50,000 | 100-200 |
| Kyrgyz Republic | 105,000 | 150-500 |
| Mongolia | 101,000 | 500-1000 |
| Nepal | 30,000 | 300-500 |
| Pakistan | 80,000 | 200-420 |
| Tajikistan | 100,000 | 180-220 |
| Uzbekistan | 10,000 | 20-50 |