Snow Leopard
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Vulnerable
Snow leopard Facts
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Panthera uncia
LIFE SPAN:
15-18 years
SIZE:
3.6 ft
WEIGHT:
121-165lbs
DIET:
Himalayan blue sheep, wild goat, pikas, hares, and marmots
PReDATORS:
Snow leopards are apex predators, meaning they have no known predators. They are protected from being hunted or poached by humans.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The snow leopard is strongly adapted to living in the cold, high mountains of the Himalayas. It has a strong tail that helps with balance and warmth and the snow leopard has grey fur with black sports on its head and neck. The snow leopard has a stocky body and large paws that help with stability while climbing in the mountains. The snow leopard cannot roar but rather chuffs and growls.
BEHAVIOR:
The snow leopard prefers to be alone and spends most of its time in the cliffs and ridges of the Himalayan mountains. They use scent marks to indicate territorial boundaries in the mountains. Snow leopards prefer to hunt their prey from above and will chase their targets down steep mountainsides.
THREATS:
Snow leopards are the apex predators of the Himalayan mountains and are not preyed upon by other animals. Sheepherders will kill snow leopards for hunting their sheep. Furthermore, poaching and illegal trading hurts the survival of the species as well.
How can you Help?
Click here for Snow Leopard Trust website.
More education and facts about the Snow Leopard.
Learn all about the Snow Leopard and share your knowledge with others.
Support community education for farmers who lose livestock to leopards.
Don’t buy fur products from endangered animals.
