Mountain Leopard

Introduction

The Mountain Leopard (Panthera mons) is a large carnivorous cat that evolved from the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), which died out around the mid-21st century. It is native to Central Asia, and is found in the countries Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Russia, Nepal, Mongolia, India, Bhutan and especially in China. It can be easily recognized by its large paw, thick fur on both its body and its tail.

The Mountain Leopard has been classified in the class of Mammalia, the family of Felidae and the genus Uncia. The phylogenetic studies, that reveals the relationships among Panthera species, makes the Mountain Leopards considered to be in this genus. There are two subspecies that were defined with reference to morphological differences, and the difference in genetics created by gene editing. As a result, the Mountain Leopard is regarded as very similar to the Snow Leopard, although the two are genetically distinct species.

Etymology

The Latin word mons means mountains in English, which is derived from the specie’s living environment. The other Latin word Panthera means leopard, which is a member in the Family Felidae.

Habitat and Population

Mountain Leopards’ habitats are concentrated in the mountains of Central Asia, including countries like Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Russia, Nepal, Mongolia, India, China, Bhutan (mostly located in China). There are currently 80,732 Mountain Leopards documented in the world.

In most cases, the Mountain Leopard is a solitary creature except for their mating period where male and female Mountain Leopards live together. The Mountain Leopard is a carnivorous animal. They are second-level predators that are just below humans. Their main food sources are game birds, hares, pikas, wild sheep and goats. However, they change their diet to smaller animals such as marmots in summer. The Mountain Leopard’s mating season is between January and mid-March. It normally takes 93-110 days for its pregnancy , and it normally gives birth in June or July ( about 3 to 6 cubs per litter). When it grows up to 7 days old, it can open its eyes. When it reaches 2 months old, it can eat solid food. Then when it grows to 3 months old, it starts following its mother and learn skills for surviving. Finally, when it reaches 18-22 months, it can live independently. The life expectancy of mountain leopards is around 10-12 years.

History

Mountain leopards are, in fact, the result of genetic modification of a currently extinct species called Snow Leopards. Consequently, almost the same to the snow leopard, the Mountain Leopard is also one member of the Felidae family ( made up of 38 carnivorous cats ). Environmental dangers to the mountain leopard are mainly climate change and habitat loss. These two natural dangers are also a result from human impact. In addition, Mountain Leopards face hunting, poaching and retaliatory killings from humans.

Evolution

Mountain leopards, like Snow Leopards, are solitary animals. They come out to act mainly at dawn until early morning and again in the afternoons and early evenings. As an adapted species from the snow leopard, the mountain leopard has new features and abilities that allow it to thrive. It has spots that change colors according to the season of the year, so that it can easily camouflage into its environment when facing danger. In addition, muscles in the Mountain Leopards’ legs develop faster and are much stronger as compared to the Snow Leopards’ muscles, so that it runs even faster. It has even developed a special metabolic system that allows them to store surplus fat, when the food is abundant, inside their body for later use when their food is scarce. As a carnivorous animal, the main food sources of the mountain leopard are wild sheep, goats and game birds.

Summary

The Mountain Leopard, as a species, developed from the snow leopard, and shares much in common with the Snow Leopard, including its category, family structure, habitats, diets and its physical features. On the other hand, it has evolved to be more adaptable to the environment, which allows it to thrive.

Works Cited

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“Life Cycle.” Snow Leopard Trust, Snow Leopard Trust , 2019, https://www.snowleopard.org/snow-leopard-facts/life-cycle/.

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“THREATS.” Snow Leopard Conservancy, Snow Leopard Conservancy , 1 Aug. 2019, https://snowleopardconservancy.org/threats/.

“Where Do Snow Leopards Live? And Nine Other Snow Leopard Facts.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, 2019, https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/where-do-snow-leopards-live-and-nine-other-snow-leopard-facts.

“Wikijunior:Big Cats/Snow Leopard.” Wikijunior:Big Cats/Snow Leopard - Wikibooks, Open Books for an Open World, Wikibooks, 11 Dec. 2019, https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wikijunior:Big_Cats/Snow_leopard.