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Snow Leopard
These beautiful animals have been hunted since ancient days for these beautiful coat. The legions in ancient Rome used their coat to adorn their armor. Their mountain lairs have been driven higher and higher into the mountains as mankind has moved closer and closer to their traditional range.
Range:
High mountains of central Asia; northern slopes of the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush mountains and the Pamirs.
Appearance:
Smaller than the common leopard. Body length is 3-4 ft., the tail 30-35". Weight is 65-100 lbs. This beautiful leopard's coat is smoky gray, spotted with black rosettes. It has a densely furred tail and icy green eyes. The long tail acts as a muffler against the cold as well as a balancing device. The snow leopard has enormous paws that work like snow shoes to help it walk over snow.
Habitat:
In the summer, it is found in alpine meadows. In winter, it follows its prey to lower elevations. Especially active in early morning and late afternoon. Sometimes dens in rocky crevices or caverns. Animals are solitary, but not unsocial.
Diet:
Wild sheep, ibex, small mammals and some birds.
Reproduction:
Gestation is 90-103 days, with births most often occurring April to June. Mother leopard lines her den with her fur. Litters usually have 1-5 young. Eyes open after 7 days. Young stay with mother through the first winter and are sexually mature at 2 years.
General:
The snow leopard can not roar, but has several vocalizations. Life span in captivity is 17-19 years.
Status:
Critically endangered. There are thought to be fewer than 2000 left in the wild. Destruction of this species is due to habitat destruction, disappearance of natural prey and the fur trade.
