SATURDAY'S WILD CATS

The SNOW LEOPARD (Panthera uncia) is an endangered wild cat living in the cold mountain regions of Central Asia.  It is estimated that there are between 4,000 and 7,000 snow leopards currently in existence, with half the population capable of reproduction.  The snow leopard is a BIG CAT along with lions, tigers, jaguars, and other leopards.

Snow leopards have a stocky build with short legs, long tails, wide paws and round ears. Some males can weight up to 170 lbs, but most cats average between 60 lbs and 120 lbs.  Their fur ranges in colour from a light grey to tan with dark spots. and grey or green eyes.  The underside of the cat is white.  Snow leopards have very strong legs and can leap up to 50 feet.

Central Asia is a geographical territory with low lands in the north and mountain ranges and plateaus in the south.  The mountain ranges that run through Central Asia include the Pamir, Tien-Shan and Kuniun-Shan, as well as the Hindu-Kush and Karakorm which are part of the Himalayas.  Snow leopards range through several Asian countries in this region including Chin, India. Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan Bhutan, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.  You can enlarge the map to more clearly see the range of this big cat.

This leopard generally lives in mountainous regions, usually above the tree line.  During winter they can be found in forest areas at lower altitudes.  Like many wild cats. these leopards lead a solirary existence.   They prey on mountain goats, sheep, domestic livestock, rabbits and birds.  They also eat grass and twigs.  The sounds made by snow leopards include mewing, hissing, wailing and chuffing.

The females gestation period is approximately 90 to 100 days and cubs will usually be born during the months of April and June,  The mother will remain with the cubs for an extended period of time. somtimes until they are almost two years of age.

 

Several conservation groups are focused on protecting the snow leopard and the cat's habitat.

My thanks to bigcatswildcats.com for above information.  Photos from various free googled sources.