Snow Leopards by Kaitlyn F

niche

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-15 13:58:52 UTC

they have created their niche in the most difficult and hostile climates

Snow leopard's names

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-15 13:59:37 UTC

The snow leopard's scientific name is panthera uncia

By Kaitlyn Frederick

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-15 14:08:47 UTC

niche

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:50:23 UTC

cold and dry with a steep terrain

niche

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:50:49 UTC

very complex

activities/ behaviors

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:51:21 UTC

Mostly active at dawn and dusk

activities/ behaviors

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:53:11 UTC

They stalk their prey from a distance of 20-50 feet

Diet

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:54:07 UTC

They hunt wild sheep and goats. They also eat small animals like rodents, hares, and game birds.

Fun Facts

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:55:31 UTC

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:55:54 UTC

Snow leopards are unable to roar

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:56:22 UTC

Snow leopards are endangered

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:56:58 UTC

They are 60-120 pounds

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:57:32 UTC

They are killed for their pelts

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:59:02 UTC

There are only 4,000-6,500 left in the wild

Environment

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 13:59:54 UTC

They live in the rugged and high mountains of Central Asia

Countries they live in

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 14:01:00 UTC

China, India, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Russia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan

China

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 14:05:44 UTC

China contains about 60% of snow leopard habitat areas

Climate

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 14:06:41 UTC

cold and dry with land forms of cliffs, rocky outcrops, and ravines

Adaption

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 14:08:59 UTC

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 14:18:57 UTC

They have developed a chest that helps draw oxygen from the thin air of the mountains

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 14:21:33 UTC

size-able paws, short forelimbs, and a long tail that is about a meter long to help them balance

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-16 14:23:09 UTC

they have an enlarged nasal captivity that allows them to warm the cold air that they take into their lungs

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-18 20:47:54 UTC

wide feet act like snowshoes

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-18 20:48:25 UTC

long fur with a dense underfur and a thick tail for warmth

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-18 20:49:08 UTC

the color of their fur allows them to blend into their surroundings

diet

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-18 21:18:50 UTC

carnviore

Specific adaptations

kyfrederickmi — 2014-05-18 22:31:25 UTC

In southeastern Michigan, it is only cold for about half the year. The snow leopard would have to shed its thick coat in the summer due to it being so hot. The snow leopard is used to the cold and snow, not the heat. They also would not blend into their surroundings very easily. They would have to change the color of their fur depending on the season. Their white fur against the grass in the summertime would be bad for stalking prey and hiding from other animals. In the winter, they would be okay with the snow but they wouldn't be in their habitat of the mountains. Southeastern Michigan doesn't have any mountains for them to live on, which are what they are used to. The snow leopards would have to get used to living on the flat ground.