Sensational Snow Leopards

To me one of the most beautiful cats of the world is the snow leopard.  It lives in rugged mountainous terrain in Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and a few other countries with the largest populations in China and Mongolia.  It has an extremely thick coat to withstand cold temperatures and wide paws which act like snowshoes helping to distribute its weight as it walks through snow.  It also has a thick tail which stores fat and helps it balance on rocks and ledges.

 

Photo by Helen Freeman. Courtesy of Snow Leopard Trust

Snow leopards are loners and don't live in prides like lions.  About the only time males and females come together is during mating season.  If you see more than one snow leopard at a time, it's most likely a female with her cubs.  Snow leopards are most active at dusk and at dawn.  Snow leopards have home ranges and territories, but its size depends on the abundance of prey.  They eat goats, sheep, marmots, rabbits, and a variety of rodents.  Unlike other big cats, they will also eat vegetation if nothing else is available.

Source: xinjiangsnowleopards.org

The snow leopard is endangered.  One reason is because of its beautiful fur and is sought for its pelt for fur coats.  I happen to think the snow leopard wears his coat much better than I ever could.  Herders bring domesticated goats and sheep to graze in his territory.  If wild goats and sheep are in short supply, a snow leopard will go after what ever one is available and herders shoot snow leopards to protect their flocks.  Working with local communities in snow leopard territory is crucial to the conservation of this wonderful cat and the ecosystem in which it lives.

Source: .pluspets.net

Since the snow leopard is at the top of the food chain, preserving the biodiversity within its ecosystem is crucial to its survival.  This shy elusive cat is one of the least aggressive of the bigger cats and will avoid humans if it has a choice.  There are several hundred snow leopards in zoos, but without these beautiful creatures in the wild life would be a little less magnificent.