Snow Leopard

Endemic to the mountain ranges of Central and Southern Asia, the Snow Leopard has thick, white-grey fur with black spots, pale green eyes, and a bushy tail. This species is adapted for life in colder climates. It has broad paws for walking on snow and fur on its undersides, to increase its grip on steep and unstable surfaces, as well as minimise heat loss.  However, during the summer months, it tends to stay above the tree line in higher, rocky altitudes. While it closely resembles a leopard, genetic studies reveal it is closely related to the tiger. Most active at dusk and dawn, the Snow Leopard is an opportunistic hunter of prey, typically ambushing from above, and can kill animals two to four times its weight. Its diet mainly consists of wild caprids and nearby livestock. Adult males are independent and solitary, while females stay with their cubs. The gestation period for a female is 3 – 4 months after which she gives birth to between 1 – 5 cubs. The Snow leopard is not aggressive and will retreat when threatened by another predator.