20 {interesting} facts about snow leopard

20 {interesting} facts about snow leopard 

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as the ounce, is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia.Snow leopard. : a large cat of upland central Asia with long heavy grayish-white fur irregularly marked with brownish-black spots, rosettes, and rings.

1} They are often called the “ghosts of the mountain” because they are so rarely seen and spend most of their lives in wilderness.

2} Their thick fur patterned with dark rosettes and spots a pattern that is unique to each individual snow leopard is the perfect camouflage for their rocky habitat, allowing them to stalk their prey.

3} Snow leopards have been known to live for as long as 21 years. Their lives in the wild are much harder, so they are undoubtedly much shorter.

4} Female  snow  leopards most often bear 2 or 3 cubs in a litter, though there can be more. The mating season is from January to mid-March, and most births occur in May and June. The cubs will stay with the mother for 18 to 22 months, and siblings may stay together after the mother leaves.

5} Snow Leopards are indigenous to both mountain ranges. The female cub is named Asha, which means “Hope” in Sanskrit.Baby snow leopards are also called cubs. Snow leopards and African leopards are part of the same species.

6} However, snow leopards cannot roar due to the physiology of their throat, and instead make a non-aggressive puffing sound called a 'chuff'. 

7} There are an estimated 4,080-6,590 snow leopards in the wild. They are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because their population is suspected to have declined by 20% over the past 16 years.

8} Unlike most cats, leopards are strong swimmers and are one of the few cats that like water, although they are not as aquatic as tigers. ... Leopards are usually active at night, resting by day and hunting at night.

9} Snow leopards eat almost anything they can catch, often hunting animals three times their size. Their main sources of food include wild sheep and goats, pikas, hares, and game birds.

10} Snow leopards do not hunt in packs or groups. ... Like other wild cats, snow leopards approach their prey as closely as possible before launching an attack. They hide behind objects within their habitat as they approach.Snow leopards hunt a large animal every 8-10 days on average.

11} It's unknown exactly why snow leopards enjoy biting their enormous, fluffy tails. Some theories are that biting their tails helps to keep them warm in the harsh cold  of their natural environments. Others suggest it's simply a form of play behavior.

12} Snow leopards have powerful legs and are tremendous jumpers, able to leap as far as 50 feet.

13} The fur on their stomachs is nearly five inches thick to help them survive in cold, harsh mountain climates.

15} Between 2008 and 2016 alone,  snow leopard has reportedly been killed and traded every day - 220 to 450 cats per year. But there are as few as 4000 snow leopards in the wild, and their numbers are declining due to habitat loss, poaching and the impact of climate change.

16} But now snow leopard populations are finally making a comeback. ... After decades of being on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, the status of this incredible animal has been upgraded from endangered to vulnerable by following a three-year study that found improvements in their population.

17} Snow leopards can sprint between 35 and 40 miles per hour.

18} Snow leopards live in such a high  region the temperature  usually ranges from 7 degrees C to -25 degrees C. 

19} The long tail is also useful for maintaining balance in the steep, rocky ground that snow leopards like.

20} The snow leopard is a symbol of the power of psyche, silence, mystery, perception, intuition, determination, experience, self-reliance, and balance.

Symbol of Power