Family: Felidae It’s a cat
Snow Leopard is the common name
Genus: Panthera Molecular studies show similarities
Snow Leopard is the common name
Genus: Panthera Molecular studies show similarities
Head and body length is 47-59 inches, while the tail is
31-39 inches long. Soft grey coat, white on belly. Head and limbs are marked with solid black or brown spots; body is covered with brown blotches ringed with black, and a black streak runs down the back. Tail is heavy with fur and the bottom of the paws are covered with fur -- for protection against snow and cold. The winter coat is lighter in color.
31-39 inches long. Soft grey coat, white on belly. Head and limbs are marked with solid black or brown spots; body is covered with brown blotches ringed with black, and a black streak runs down the back. Tail is heavy with fur and the bottom of the paws are covered with fur -- for protection against snow and cold. The winter coat is lighter in color.
Mountain steppes and coniferous (pine/evergreen) forest scrub at high altitudes (5900-18000 feet). Prefer mountain regions in the winter, moving to meadows and rocky areas during the summer months. The high mountains of Central Asia, specifically the Himalayas, Altai and Hindu Kush. Jammu &Kashmir is situated in the central region of the Snow Leopard range. Snow leopards have a broad home range covering about 100 square miles because of the lack of abundant prey.
The snow leopard's prey include wild sheep (such as
Bharal, the blue sheep), wild boar, gazelles, hares, markhor, bobak, tahr, marmots, mice and deer. They stalk their prey and usually spring from a distance of 20 to 50 feet
Bharal, the blue sheep), wild boar, gazelles, hares, markhor, bobak, tahr, marmots, mice and deer. They stalk their prey and usually spring from a distance of 20 to 50 feet
Snow leopards prefer to inhabit steep cliff areas, rocky outcrops and ravines.
Such habitats provide them with the camouflage they need to ambush unsuspecting
prey. They stalk their prey and usually spring from a distance of 20 - 50 feet.
Their long and powerful hind limbs help snow leopards leap up to 30 feet, which
is six times their body length.
Such habitats provide them with the camouflage they need to ambush unsuspecting
prey. They stalk their prey and usually spring from a distance of 20 - 50 feet.
Their long and powerful hind limbs help snow leopards leap up to 30 feet, which
is six times their body length.