Habitat: Mountains, altitudes of 7500-18,000 feet.
Description: Long fur with wooly undergrowth. Each snow leopard has an individually unique facial spot pattern. Enlarged nasal cavity and chest capacity.
Mostly solitary. Captive snow leopards tend to be inactive about 70% of daylight hours. Weigh 60 – 120 lbs. (males are about 30% larger than females).
Adaptations/Habitat: They will wrap their long, thick-furred tail around their body and face for extra warmth (tail can be as long as the body). Both the tail and hind legs relatively long compared to other large cats (for increased agility in rugged habitat). One of the better jumpers of the large cats, 20 feet vertically and 45 feet horizontally.
Breeding/Growth: Mating season is January-March. Gestation is 90-100 days. Litter size: 2-3 cubs (stay with mother until about 20 months). Sexual maturity of females: 2-3 years; males: 4 years. Longevity: 10 – 13 years in wild & up to 21 years in captivity.
Diet: Wild goats (like ibex and markhor), sheep, hares, pikas, voles, mice, marmots, birds, and livestock.
Exhibit: Snow leopard
Notes: STATUS: Endangered (approx. 3500 – 6500 individuals left in the wild).
Snow leopards are hunted illegally, for their pelts and bones, for sport trophy, and because of predation on livestock.
