Know
the Snow Leopards
Even though sharing its name with the common leopard, the snow leopard is
not believed to be closely associated to the Leopard or the other members of
the Pantherine Family and is classified as the only member of the genus
Uncia uncia. Due to the under-development of the fibro-elastic tissue that
forms part of the vocal apparatus in the 'big cat' family, the snow leopard
cannot give a full, deep roar and this along with differences in skull
characteristics help to separate it from its fellow ‘big cats’.
The Physical Characteristics
In appearance, the snow leopard is remarkably different from the common
leopard. Although it has identical rosettes and broken-spot markings, they
seem less well defined and have too much space between. The fur is long,
woolly and heavy, which protects the cat from the extreme cold of its
generally high altitude habitat. The general ground colouration of the cat
is predominantly grey with brownish/yellow tinges on its flanks and lighter,
often white fur on its belly, chest and chin. The head, which sports small
ears and a distinct heavy brow, is rounded and comparatively small for its
body size, which can be up to 1.3 meters length and weigh up to around 70kg.
The long tail, which can measure as much as 900cm, helps the cat balance as
it moves over rugged and often snowy terrain. The powerful limbs of the snow
leopard are comparatively short for its body size and are supported by
large, powerful paws.
The leopard's thick fur is about 5 cm long along the back - 10cm long
underneath. The coat is a soft ashy-brown colour with black rosette
markings. Body Length - 1.2 to 1.5m (4-5ft). Tail - 90cm (35.5ins). Weight:
25 - 75kg. The life-span of snow leopard is about 20 years in captivity.
Snow Leopard Habitat &
Diet
The snow leopard generally inhabits elevations between 2000-4000 m,
although it can occasionally be found at lower altitudes to the north of its
range and as high as 5500 m in Himalayan regions. The cat is generally
associated with generally rocky terrain such as high valley ridges, rocky
outcrops and mountain passes.
The snow leopard lives in the remote mountainous regions of Central Asia,
from Pakistan and Afghanistan to parts of Russia and China - including the
lonely Altai Mountains and the Himalayas, where in summer it hunts at
altitudes of up to 6,000 m (about 19,500ft). During the harsh winter
weather, the snow leopard follows its prey and descends to lower lands of
around 1,800 m (about 6,000ft). The prey species include wild sheep,
marmots, and other rodents, hares and ground-dwelling birds.
Total area of its range is extremely large the actual areas in which the
cat is found are relatively small and notably fragmented. This has led to
disagreements amongst experts as to the subspeciation of the snow leopard.
The cats found in the north of the range are generally classified as Uncia
uncia uncia whilst those in the south, Uncia uncia uncioides. However some
suggest that due to the fragmentation of the species within those broad
areas, genetic differences may exist and further subspeciation may well be
necessary.
Class
: Mammalia
Zoological Name : Panthera uncia
Range : Mountainous regions of northern India and in the Himalayas.
Major Sites : Nanda Devi National Park (Uttaranchal) , Hemis
National Park (Jammu & Kashmir), Dagchigam National Park (Jammu &
Kashmir).
Other Facts : Snow leopards are powerful, agile animals
capable of making huge leaps to cross ravines or clear other obstacles.
Usually a solitary creature, it leads a lonely life wandering the mountains,
although the female leopard may be accompanied by cubs. These are born about
100 days after mating takes place, with two or three cubs in a litter.
Snow Leopards & Conservation
There are several reasons why the snow leopard is an endangered species.
First and foremost, it has probably never existed in large numbers. It is
solitary by nature and lives in a harsh, dangerous environment where a false
step or misjudged leap could end in disaster. There is also danger from
hunters, who kill the snow leopard for its beautiful coat of fur. Herdsmen
kill snow leopards to protect their cattle and humans also affect the
species by felling forests for cultivation or hydroelectric schemes.
The Present Status of Snow Leopards
The total population of the snow leopard is now in hundreds rather than
thousands. It has been fully protected in India since 1952. Urgent and
decisive action to protect the snow leopard is the call of the hour, if this
species is going to survive into the future generations.
