Snow Leopard Facts

Did you know that Snow Leopards are one of the most elusive big cats in the world… and the big cat that photographers fantasize about photographing? Here are some interesting Snow Leopard facts that you may not already know.

COMMON NAME: Snow Leopard

NICKNAME: Ghost of the Mountain

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Panthera uncia

TYPE: Mammals

DIET: Carnivore

SIZE: Four to five feet long with a tail up to 36 inches

WEIGHT: 60 to 120 pounds

DID YOU KNOW THAT SNOW LEOPARDS ARE MORE CLOSELY RELATED TO TIGERS?

The two large cats are members of the Panthera genus and diverged from one another over two million years ago. These endangered species of cats are nearly impossible to see if one were to venture out on their own without an experienced guide.

Currently, there could be as few as 4,000 Snow Leopards in the wild, however, the exact number is unknown as they are extremely elusive. The main threats they face are habitat loss and deterioration, human-wildlife conflict, loss of prey, poaching for illegal trade, and climate change.

THEY ARE NATIVE TO THE MOUNTAINS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA

Snow Leopards are found in 12 countries – Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Their range spans about two million square miles, which is about half the size of Greenland. The species however is becoming increasingly difficult to find in the wild, and it also doesn’t help that they dwell in inaccessible, jagged highlands that are tough for humans to access.

Your best bet at spotting one is probably in the Altai Mountains in Mongolia. Here, the largest population of Snow Leopards exists in one geographical area. You also do not need to climb to heights of 12,000 to 13,000’ to see them as you do in India.

SNOW LEOPARDS ARE NOMADIC ANIMALS

Since Snow Leopards must hunt for their food, the location of their prey is essential. Although snow leopards have specific regions they consider their own, they do not always have the same region during their lives.

When a male finds a suitable location, he marks his territory by spraying his scent glands, warning other snow leopards to avoid it. Male territories never overlap, but males will occasionally overlap theirs with a female from the same pack.

THEY ARE EXPERT CLIMBERS AND CAN LEAP UP TO 50 FEET (15 meters) IN A SINGLE BOUND

The Snow Leopard would do well in most athletic competitions, with the long jump being its best chance. Some snow leopards have been observed to leap 6 times their body length, or 9 meters! These big cats are fast felines and can run at up to 58km/h!

THE SNOW LEOPARD HAS NO PROBLEM THRIVING IN extreme CLIMATES

Snow Leopards are well-suited to their high-altitude habitat’s harsh environment. Snow leopards live at extremely high elevations so that they can survive winter temperatures as low as -40°C. Furthermore, snow leopards can adapt to warmer weather and may endure temperatures up to 30°C in the summer.

Global warming may be the Snow Leopard’s most long-term severe hazard. Habitat loss and poaching have caused 20% of the population to vanish in the last ten years. On the other hand, climate change has the potential to alter the terrain and weather of the snow leopard’s habitat, posing difficulties for its prey. This, of course, affects how much food it can find and how long it can survive.

DID YOU KNOW SNOW LEOPARDS do not ROAR?

Snow Leopards' unique physical structure sets them apart from other big cats– they cannot roar. Instead, they make non-aggressive noises such as meowing, purring, growling, and hissing. They also communicate through chuffs– a sound made by air coming forcefully out of the nose.

SNOW LEOPARDS ARE SMALLER THAN LEOPARDS

If you’re wondering how to tell a snow leopard apart from a regular leopard, one key difference is size. An adult snow leopard only reaches about 2 ft in height and 7 ft in length, whereas an adult leopard can grow up to 8.5 ft long and weighs 50-200 lbs.

SNOW LEOPARDS ARE NOT AGGRESSIVE TOWARD HUMANs and THEY HAVE NO NATURAL PREDATORS

In comparison to other members of the big cat family, Snow Leopards are the least likely to attack humans. Since they are solitary creatures, there have been zero recorded cases of snow leopard attacks on humans throughout history.

For over 3 million years, the Snow Leopard habitat has claimed the lofty and chilly rocky mountains as its own. These remote regions keep predators such as wolves at bay, putting snow leopards at the top of the food chain.

FEMALE SNOW LEOPARDS MATE EVERY TWO YEARS

Female Snow Leopards spend an entire year nurturing their cubs; if they mate every two years, this gives them enough time to recover and produce more offspring. A mother snow leopards typically have 2-3 cubs per litter, and during the early stages of development, these need constant care. Although they grow quickly and learn how to hunt sooner than most animals, young snow leopards usually stay with their mothers for up 24 months.

Although Snow Leopard cubs mature at a relatively fast rate, they are born vulnerable and without any defense mechanisms. For example, it takes approximately one week for them to gain the ability to open their eyes after they are born. In addition, snow leopard cubs cannot consume solid foods until they reach two months old. By three months old, however, young snow leopards begin to follow their mother on hunts.

SNOW LEOPARDS ONLY EAT ONCE EVERY WEEK OR TWO

Snow Leopards typically hunt alone every 8-10 days. They eat slowly, savoring their meals over the course of several days if necessary. The most common animals they will eat are ibex, mountain sheep, argali, horse, camel, blue sheep, goat, and young yaks. However, under duress, they have also been known to prey on rodents such as rabbits voles, and marmots, and birds if necessary. Their hunting prowess is unrivaled among big cats; animals three times their size are no match for them.

If you would like to go photograph Snow Leopards, contact me. I have been looking into creating a trip for Snow Leopards and Pallas Cats in Mongolia. I would love it if you would consider joining me.