The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) has a round head, broad paws and a long,
round tail. Its paws have cushions of hair which prevent the cat
from sinking into the snow and protect the soles of its feet from snow,
the cold, rough ground in winter, and the sun-heated rocks of summer.
The snow leopard's beautiful coat changes from season to season.
Its thick, white winter coat becomes a fine yellow-gray during the summer.
Solid black or dark brown spots arranged in rows mark its head and lower
limbs. This spotted white coat serves as a wonderful winter camouflage
and helps to keep the cat warm in winter and cool in summer.
Habitat and Distribution: Essentially adapted to mountain
life, the snow leopard lives in remote areas of Asia's Himalayan Mountains.
Depending upon the season, it occupies mountain steppes and coniferous
forests at altitudes ranging from 5,900 to 18,000 feet, and contends with
extremes of climate.
Diet: Because of a low prey density, the snow leopard migrates
to different altitudes along with its prey and usually hunts alone.
During the summer, the snow leopard hunts at high altitudes for wild sheep,
hare, mice and birds. In winter they hunt at the lower elevations
for deer, wild boar, gazelles and hare.
Reproduction: Cubs are born in well-hidden and fur-lined
dens which the mother builds beneath rocks or in rocky crevices.
One to four young are born in late spring or early summer. Like newborn
kittens, they open their eyes only after a week or more, but by the time
they are two months old, they are very active. They remain with their
mother only through the first winter of their lives. Then they must
forage for themselves.
Behavior: Snow leopards are fantastic jumpers; they can
leap 20 to 50 feet through the air. With no difficulty they can leap
straight up into a tree or onto a cliff, often simply to perch and rest.
The long, thick tail helps the snow leopard to keep its balance.
Status: The snow leopard has become rare in many parts
of its native habitat largely because it has been widely hunted for its
strikingly beautiful coat. India has protected its populations since
1952, and World Wildlife Fund supports research and habitat conservation
projects for the snow leopard in Nepal.
World Wildlife Fund endeavors to put a stop to the illegal traffic in
endangered cat skins as well as to create and maintain reserves to protect
them and other endangered species.
The snow leopard's beautiful coat changes from season to season.
Its thick, white winter coat becomes a fine yellow-gray during the summer.
Solid black or dark brown spots arranged in rows mark its head and lower
limbs. This spotted white coat serves as a wonderful winter camouflage
and helps to keep the cat warm in winter and cool in summer.