Snow Leopards
Snow leopard spots are so last season...
Habitat
Location:
- Afghanistan (WIKI)
- Bhutan (WIKI)
- China (WIKI)
- India (WIKI)
- Kazakhstan (WIKI)
- the Kyrgiz Republic (WIKI)
- Mongolia (WIKI)
- Nepal (WIKI)
- Pakistan (WIKI)
- Russia (WIKI)
- Tajikistan (WIKI)
- Uzbekistan (WIKI)
- Alpine (WIKI)
- Sub-alpine
Food
food
http://www.leveilleillustration.com/Animal-portraits.html
Snow Leopard
http://www.leopard-pictures.com/snow_leopard_pictures.html
Snow Leopard Diagram
http://www.exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=43&detID=991
-Carnivore
-Food
-Food
- carrion (WCPP P.40)
- livestock (WCPP P.40)
- large prey (WCPP P.40)
- small prey (WCPP P.40)
- if needed, yak (WCPP P.40)
- no predators, snow leopards are on top of the food chain (WIKI) (WCPP P.40)
Description
Classification:
- mammal (cat)
- fur with rosettes or spots (WIKI)
- generally weigh between 27 and 55 kg (60 and 120 lb) (WIKI)
- general body length about 75 to 130 centimeters (30 to 50 in) (WIKI)
- tail adds about 80 to 100 cm (31 to 39 in) (WIKI)
- general height is about 60 cm (24 in) (WIKI)
Reproduction
- usually mate between April and June
- snow leopard cubs are born in dens
- cubs are born with spots that develop into rosettes later
- litter sizes vary from one to five cubs
- cubs weigh from 320 to 567 grams (11 to 20.0 oz)
(all WIKI)
Adaptation
Adaptations for Protection:
- tail adds balance
- color and spots help them to blend into the background
- smaller body than other large cats (WCPP P.18)
- long tail (WCPP P.18)
- soft paws (WCPP P.18)
- leave scent marks to mark their territory (WIKI)
- are crepuscular, being most active at dawn and dusk (WIKI)
- are extremely secretive and well camouflaged (WIKI)
- sticks with same partner (WIKI)
Reasons for Endangernment
- hunted for fur and body parts (Buzzle)
- due to human settlements, their prey and habitat are destroyed (Buzzle)
Critical Information
What is currently being done to help:
- trafficking of snow leopards and their body parts is illegal (SLT)
- all 12 snow leopard range countries have laws protecting them (SLT)
- SLT is in close operation with India to save the snow leopards (SLT)
- Avoid buying snow leopards fur (snowleopard.org)
- Fundraisers
- Create your own group to help donate
- Make a petition to protect these animals