Snow leopards
Surviving some of the harshest conditions on Earth, the snow leopard lives in the mountains of central Asia. At elevations of about 1,800 to 5,500 metres, the climate is cold and dry, allowing only grasses and small shrubs to grow. The snow leopard’s preferred habitats are cliffs, rocky outcrops, and ravines, where there are clear views but plenty of cover to stalk and conceal itself from prey.
Despite their name, snow leopards are more closely related to tigers than leopards. Their long, insulating fur is well adapted to low temperatures, and each snow leopard has a unique dark rosette pattern. Their large, furry paws also help to distribute body weight and prevent them from sinking into the snow—essentially acting as natural snow shoes.
Snow leopards are solitary animals, only seen with company during mating season or while raising young. A female gestates for around 93 days and gives birth to litters of two to four cubs, which she then raises alone for the next 18 to 24 months. At the end of this period, the cubs part ways with their mother to find their own home range.
These large cats hunt an array of prey but prefer herbivores, like the Himalayan blue sheep—a meal that can sustain a snow leopard for up to two weeks. They typically hunt at dawn and dusk and can kill prey up to three times their own weight. However, they are not aggressive towards humans, and there has never been a verified snow leopard attack on a person.
As apex predators, snow leopards are an important indicator species for their habitats. This means their presence signals the presence of other members of their food chain and various fauna and flora that help sustain that habitat. In particular, the snow leopards help us measure the impact of climate change in these cold, delicate mountain environments where even slight temperature changes can impact certain species and cause cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
What is a snow leopard's scientific name?
The snow leopard’s scientific name is Panthera uncia. Jaguars, leopards, lions, and tigers are also members of the genus Panthera.
Are snow leopards endangered?
The snow leopard is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN because their global population is estimated to be above 2,500 but below 10,000 mature individuals. It is also thought that their population has decreased by 10% over the past three generations. However, population data for snow leopards is difficult to obtain because more than 70% of potential snow leopard habitat remains unexplored by humans.
Snow leopards are vulnerable because they face threats of climate change, habitat fragmentation, and retaliatory killings caused by human-wildlife conflict. They are also poached by humans for the illegal trade of their fur and other parts.
Where do snow leopards live?
The range of the snow leopard covers 2,000,000 square kilometres, 60% of which is in China. In total, their habitat extends across 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Male snow leopards usually occupy exclusive home ranges to avoid competing with other males, each claiming up to 100 square kilometres. Within these ranges, they live a nomadic lifestyle, roaming around to hunt and leaving markings for other cats.
Threats
Although snow leopards are not considered endangered yet, they face multiple threats that could cause their condition to deteriorate in the future. All of these threats are man-made, from illegal trade and killings to the looming issue of climate change.
Illegal trade
Snow leopards are mostly hunted for their fur, which is used to create rugs and taxidermy, as well as for their bones and other body parts, which are used for traditional medicine. Unfortunately, the demand for luxury decor is on the rise in China and Eastern Europe, encouraging illegal hunting.
Habitat fragmentation
As human settlements expand, ranching and livestock farming are encroaching on snow leopards’ natural habitat. The grazing space used by the livestock can be quite expansive and cut right through the middle of a snow leopard’s home range, impacting their hunting and nomadic lifestyle.
Human expansion also affects the food quantities available to snow leopards, as their chosen prey are also hunted by the local communities.
Retaliatory killings
Another side effect of ranching in snow leopard ranges is that these large cats occasionally prey on livestock, usually as a result of opportunistic hunting or out of desperation if the typical prey is scarce. However, because the livestock are the farmers’ livelihoods, they often hunt and kill snow leopards either in retaliation or to protect their animals.
Climate change
The recent and continuous rise in the Earth’s temperature has many adverse effects, but it’s the colder climates that feel the most impact. Fauna and flora that have adapted to specific low temperatures can be adversely affected, and this can impact the entire habitat. The current effects of climate change on snow leopards is difficult to measure, but it’s potentially the greatest long-term threat they face.
FAQs
What do snow leopards eat?
Snow leopards eat a range of animals, including ibex, marmots, pika, hares, small rodents, and game birds. One of the most common types of prey for the snow leopard is the Himalayan blue sheep. During winter, they may also hunt the livestock of nearby farmers.
How do snow leopards hunt?
Snow leopards rely on stealth. They use the natural cover of rocks and uneven terrain to sneak up on their prey and launch towards them once they get close enough. Thanks to their long hind legs, they can jump as far as 10 metres—about six times their body length.
Once an animal has been caught, the leopard will usually take three to four days to eat it, remaining at the kill site during this time. One meal can sustain a snow leopard for up to two weeks, but they will usually hunt around one animal every 10 days.
How big is a snow leopard?
A snow leopard can reach up to 2.1 meters in length and stands around 60 centimetres tall at the shoulder. Despite their large size, they only weigh between 23 and 41 kilograms. They also have long tails that can reach up to 1 metre in length and help them balance as they navigate their rocky environment.
Why do snow leopards bite their tails?
Some of the best snow leopard facts are related to their tails. We know that they can reach a full meter in length, they’re used for fat storage, and they can wrap around the leopard like a scarf for extra warmth. What we don’t know, however, is why snow leopards bite their tails. Some scientists think it could help them stay warm, while others speculate that it’s an example of play behaviour.
How long do snow leopards live?
Snow leopards can live for around 15 to 18 years in the wild and up to 25 years in captivity. They reach sexual maturity at around 2 to 3 years old, after separating from their mothers.
What does a snow leopard look like?
Snow leopards are large cats (reaching up to 2 meters in length) with white-greyish coats. The unique pattern on their fur is made up of dark spots and rosettes, each of which can span up to 10 centimetres across the leopard’s pelt.
Can snow leopards roar?
One of the most interesting facts about snow leopards is that, unlike big cats, they cannot roar. This is because they have different vocal cords that aren’t designed to make that sound. They can, however, produce hisses, mews, and growls, as well as a loud piercing call that can be heard over the roar of a river.
How many snow leopards are left?
The population of the snow leopard, endangered by a range of threats, is thought to be slowly decreasing. It’s difficult to get an accurate reading on their numbers since they are spread over such a large area, live alone, are highly camouflaged, and live in unexplored areas. However, the current estimates are that 2,710 to 3,386 mature individuals are left in the wild.
How can you help?
Snow leopards, like countless other species, face growing threats of habitat loss, conflict with humans, and climate change.