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Baby snow leopards are called cubs. Snow leopards mate between January and mid-March. The female then delivers two to three cubs in approximately three months after mating. At birth, snow leopard cubs weigh a bit more than 1 pound.

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Baby snow leopards are called cubs. Snow leopards mate between January and mid-March. The female then delivers two to three cubs in approximately three months after mating. At birth, snow leopard cubs weigh a bit more than 1 pound.

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Snow leopards live in the mountains of western China. Their habitat is rocky, cold, and dry. The cats have a thick coat of fur that is white to yellow in color. The coat is covered in gray speckles as well as blackcircledrings called rosettes. The pattern acts as camouflage, whichhelps them blend in with their surroundings. It also helps the leopardssneak up on animals they hunt, such as wild goats and sheep.A snow leopard can jump almost the length of a school bus. Its tail isalmost as long as its body, and helps the leopard balance as it leaps.The cats can also wrap their tails around them like a scarf to stay warm.They have short, round ears that hold in heat. A wide nose warms coldoutside air as they breathe. Their large paws act like snowshoes to keepthem from sinking into the snow.Snow leopards are endangered. They face poaching (illegal

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Snow leopards live in the mountains of western China. Their habitat is rocky, cold, and dry. The cats have a thick coat of fur that is white to yellow in color. The coat is covered in gray speckles as well as blackcircledrings called rosettes. The pattern acts as camouflage, whichhelps them blend in with their surroundings. It also helps the leopardssneak up on animals they hunt, such as wild goats and sheep.A snow leopard can jump almost the length of a school bus. Its tail isalmost as long as its body, and helps the leopard balance as it leaps.The cats can also wrap their tails around them like a scarf to stay warm.They have short, round ears that hold in heat. A wide nose warms coldoutside air as they breathe. Their large paws act like snowshoes to keepthem from sinking into the snow.Snow leopards are endangered. They face poaching (illegal

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In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a snow leopard in just a few quick steps, but first... Snow leopards are members of the cat family. Snow le

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WATCH THIS RARE FOOTAGE OF A SNOW LEOPARD "CHUFFING" HELLO TO BIG CAT KEEPERS!!! Even though Snow Leopards are classed as a greater cat just like the lion and tiger, it cannot roar like it's relatives! They can hiss, mew, growl, wail and chuff however, watch this rare footage of HERCULES our male Snow Leopard chuffing at his BCR friends!

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As snow leopards are fantastically agile, we decided to create a feeder to take advantage of this agility. Using a simply block and tackle system with strong climbing rope (donated to us) we winched her food up the tree. Of course we started low, increasing the height as she became more confident.

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Snow Leopard Chasing a Goat [ EPIC FAIL!!! AWESOME!!! ] with nice music

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"The snow leopard (Panthera uncia syn. Uncia uncia) is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because as of 2003, the size of the global population was estimated at 4,080-6,590 adults, of which fewer than 2,500 individuals may reproduce in the wild.

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Elusive Snow Leopard Of The Himalayas | Planet Earth II

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How big is a snow leopard?

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.

Snow leopards generally weigh between 25-55kg, although some large males have been recorded weighing up to 75kg.

What is the snow leopard's scientific name?

The snow leopard's scientific name is Panthera uncia.

Panthera is the genus of the true big cats (leopards, lions, jaguars and tigers), and the uncia part comes from the Old French word once, which was originally the name for the lynx.

Where do snow leopards live?

Snow leopards live in harsh, snowy, rugged alpine regions in central and south Asia. They can be found at elevations between 3,000 to 5,000 metres across a total of 12 different countries. The ideal snow leopard habitat is bleak, dangerous, cold and desolate - not most people's idea of a nice place to live.

China

China is home to perhaps 60 per cent of the world's population of snow leopards, with over 1 million km2 of the species' habitat spread across the far west and around the Tibetan Plateau. Since 2009 the charity Panthera has worked with partners including Chinese NGO Shan Shui and the Snow Leopard Trust on research and community-based conservation activities in Qinghai, Sichuan and Xinjiang.

Hemis National Park and Ulley Valley, Indian Himalaya

A number of commercial companies run tours to Ladakh with expert guides and trackers, claiming sighting success rates of up to 50 per cent. UK operators offering dedicated snow leopard trips include Naturetrek (01962 733051); Steppes Travel (01285 787419); and Wildlife Worldwide (01962 302086).

Nepal

An estimated 350-590 snow leopards survive in Nepal - one of the larger populations within the species' range. A network of Snow Leopard Conservation Committees, established in conjunction with WWF, set camera-traps in remote locations, work to reduce human-animal conflict through livestock-insurance schemes and protective corrals, and act as citizen scientists assessing populations.

South Gobi, Mongolia

The second-largest population of snow leopards - estimated at 500-1,000 individuals - survives mostly in the west of Mongolia. The Snow Leopard Trust co-ordinates conservation and research programmes, including livestock-insurance schemes run by the community. A long-term study in the South Gobi region has collared 21 cats to date, revealing valuable insights into behaviour as well as the size of their range.

Wangchuk Centennial National Park, Bhutan

More than half of the land area of this small Himalayan kingdom is protected. It hosts probably fewer than 200 snow leopards, but they are occasionally sighted during high-altitude treks. WWF camera-trap surveys of Wangchuk Centennial National Park revealed a population of snow leopards as well as Tibetan wolves, Himalayan serow and healthy numbers of blue sheep.

Do snow leopards live in groups?

Adults are solitary and only interact with other leopards during the breeding season. Snow leopard cubs will stay with their mothers for at least 18 months, but they may never meet again once they split up and start wandering the vast mountain expanses independently.

How long do snow leopards live?

Although captive snow leopards can live for up to 25 years, the lifespan of a snow leopard in the wild is typically 15-18 years. They reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years old.

What do snow leopards eat?

Snow leopards are carnivores that actively hunt their prey, although they will also eat carrion at times. Their most common prey is Himalayan blue sheep (also called bharal), and a single meal will keep a snow leopard going for two weeks.

Other food in a snow leopard's diet may include Siberian ibex, markhor, Himalayan tahr, argali, deer, horse and camel. When they can't find large prey, snow leopards will also take smaller animals such as voles, marmots and pika.

How do snow leopards walk in deep snow?

Snow leopard paws are furry and enormous, giving these big cats inbuilt snowshoes that spread their body weight more evenly across the snow. The giant paws also help muffle the sound of their movement and protect their toes from the biting cold.

What do snow leopards use their tails for?

A snow leopard's thick, metre-long tail assists with balance - important when cresting narrow ridges, hunting prey on difficult terrain and negotiating treacherous crevasses. A resting snow leopard can also wrap its tail around its body like a scarf for extra warmth.

Perhaps most surprisingly, the reason snow leopard tails are so thick is because they use them for fat storage to help get them through lean times.

Why do snow leopards bite their tails?

The simple answer is that we don't really know. One theory is that biting their tails help to keep a snow leopards warm in their cold natural environment, but other people think it's just an example of play behaviour.

How do snow leopards cope with the cold?

A snow leopard's nose is well adapted to deal with the cold - a short but wide nasal cavity heats the freezing air prior to it reaching the lungs.

How far can a snow leopard jump?

These cats are able to jump as far as 15m, and can take down prey three times their own weight. Perhaps most impressive of all is one of our favourite snow leopard facts - they can jump 6m vertically, high enough to reach the gutter on an average two-storey house.

Can snow leopards roar?

Unlike most other big cats, snow leopards are unable to roar because they have different, less developed vocal chords. Snow leopards make a range of other noises, including hisses, growls and mews, not unlike your typical domestic cat (just a bit louder).

How easy is it to see snow leopards?

Because they are such elusive creatures people living within their range and studying them often refer to them as the 'ghosts of the mountains'. Snow leopards are also exceptionally well camouflaged by their smoky grey fur with dark rosettes and spots - perfect for blending in among rocks and scree slopes. Woolly, whitish fur comprising 12cm-long outer hairs keeps the belly warm as well as aiding in camouflage on terrain of mixed snow and rock.

It would be very easy to look directly at a snow leopard from a distance and have no idea it was there at all.

How do snow leopards cope with the high altitude?

A large, muscular chest allows the leopard to take deep breaths that help it to absorb oxygen from the thin, high-altitude air. Scientists had always assumed that snow leopards would have more efficient haemoglobin than other cat species, enabling them to more effectively transport oxygen around their bodies in their blood. But this was recently found not to be the case, so beyond breathing harder, we simply don't yet know how snow leopards survive so well at altitude.

Are snow leopards endangered?

The current wild snow leopard population is around 6,000, but it's hard to make an accurate assessment as snow leopards tend to live in extremely inaccessible areas and are notoriously difficult to see. Snow leopard numbers have declined by 20 per cent in the last 20 years due to to poaching and habitat loss. Snow leopards were previously classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, but were reclassified as Vulnerable in 2017.

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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. Snow leopards generally weigh between 25-55kg, although some large males have been recorded weighing up to 75kg. The snow leopard's scientific name is Panthera uncia.

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Facts about Snow Leopards 1-10

1. The scientific name for the snow leopard is Uncia Uncia.

2. It is a descendant of the wild cat and panther families.

3. Native to the rugged and snowy highlands of Central Asia, the endangered snow leopard is particularly found in the Himalaya region.

4. China holds 60% of the snow leopard population.

5. They are widely spread over Central and South Asia in countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, India, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bhutan, Russia and Kazakhstan.

6. They prefer living in ridges, cliffs and rock outcrops. These locations are convenient because they provide camouflage for stalking and sneaking up on prey.

7. They are found in altitudes as high as 3500 meters above sea level.

8. In summer, the snow leopard may climb higher to cooler altitudes of as high as 5000 meters above sea level!

9. They are one of the most beautiful creatures in the world. They have gorgeous smoky-grey coats, patterned with black spots and rosettes.

10. The fur on their belly is about 5 inches thick!

Facts, Continued...

11. Snow leopards are generally smaller than most cats, weighing only about 30-55 kg.

12. In length, they measure about 80-135 cm long.

13. At shoulder, they stand at almost 2 meters tall!

14. The tail of a snow leopard is almost as long as its body.

15. Having a long furry tail is one of their unique aspects. The tail aids in balancing when walking over steep and narrow ledges.

16. Why is the tail so thick and furry? Unlike most wild cats, the snow leopard lives in very harsh cold climate so its tail acts as a muffler to shield its nose and mouth.

17. The female is about 30% smaller than the male.

18. They have well-adapted paws for walking on snow and even wading across thick snow cover.

19. They very closely resemble the leopards.

20. Often described as shy creatures, they are rarely seen out in the open.

Facts about Snow Leopards 21-30

21. When they sense human presence, they become nocturnal animals to avoid unnecessary encounters with humans that may be a threat or danger.

22. Because of being reserved creatures, they are very mysterious and very little is known about them.

23. They are very independent and solitary creatures, living alone most of the time and only socializing during the mating season.

24. In areas where prey is abundant, they are closely packed within a near range of 30-65 km.

25. In contrast, areas with flat terrain, may not host a lost of prey but they offer protective travelling routes and snow leopards are widely distributed over an area of 1000 km.

26. Areas with little or no shrubbery for example the Tibetan Plateau contain many ridges and rocky cliffs that offer protective traveling routes for snow leopards.

27. Unlike other big cats, the snow leopard is a non-aggressive animal that when threatened by another predator, may choose to back away, leaving its well-earned kill to be finished by the invader.

28. Reports of snow leopards attacking or killing humans are unheard of; in fact, snow leopards are known to avoid human presence than any other big cat.

29. They may only become aggressive to defend themselves or their cubs when threatened.

30. Being an agile hunter, they are known to stealthily attack prey from behind, lunging for it in one go and tearing it to shreds.

Facts 31-40

31. Feeding on a variety of herbivores that are found in their mountain range habitats, the snow leopards are the only known opportunistic predators among big cats.

32. Their common prey include gazelles, deer, wild goats, sheep, snow cocks, pikas, rodents like hares, mice and rabbits, markhor, bobak, tahr, marmots, and wild boars.

33. Ones that live in the Himalayan mountain ranges mainly feed on the bharals also known as the Himalayan blue sheep.

34. In winter, when large herds of herbivores migrate to warmer places with rich pastures, the snow leopard may encroach on corrals and kill off all the domestic animals in one go.

35. In average twice in a month, they may hunt large mammals and feed off their flesh for several days.

36. After hunting down an animal, some drag their food into snow tunnels for storage and safe keeping.

37. Goats and sheep are their most common prey.

38. They eat slowly and a kill may last for 2 to 3 days.

39. They usually have spots on a less-dense thin coat in summers.

40. Their gestation period is about 3-3½ months.

More Facts

41. A female searches for well-sheltered rock crevices as convenient and safe locations for giving birth without having to be alert all the time in case of any possible danger.

42. An average female gives birth to a litter consisting 1 to 5 cubs.

43. The cubs do not open their eyes until they are 7 years old.

44. The young cubs live with their mothers until two years of age, which is about the same time they eat solid food.

45. During the time spent with their mothers, cubs learn how to hunt down prey and their mothers teach them handy hunting skills for survival.

46. By the end of 2 years, the cubs are already old enough to leave their mothers and live independent lives.

47. A mother may find it hard to feed her cubs and in some cases, the cubs may die to due to starvation.

48. Most cubs do not reach adulthood due to many natural and even man-made reasons like habitat destruction.

49. An average snow leopard lives between 15 to 18 years of age but some snow leopards bred in captivity are said to have lived up to 21.

50. They use scent markings to track and find mates.

51. Like most other big cats, the snow leopard frequently patrols its territory, renewing its scent markings by scratching on the ground with its hind legs, spraying urine on important landmarks like prominent rocks and fallen trees, and depositing feces around its claimed land.

52. They have unique pale green or gray eyes that are very unusual for most cats.

53. They are on the brink of extinction. Today, only 6000 snow leopards are surviving in the wild.

54. A major reason for their endangerment is that they are excessively hunted for their organs, fur and claws that are valuable in Chinese medicine.

55. However there is still a ring of hope for a few of the surviving snow leopards. A countable population of these big cats have been discovered living in 16 locations in the Wakhan Corridor in north eastern Afghanistan.

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Did you know that only 6000 snow leopards are surviving in the wild today? Read more than 50 facts about this amazing creature...