The Snow Leopard

Snow Leopards are rarely seen in the wild because they live in very high mountains. Their shyness and amazing ability to disappear among the snow and rocks (i.e., their coloring provides perfect camouflage for their surroundings) gives them a legendary reputation. Local stories in many countries describe the Snow Leopards as shape-changing sprites/fairies or "ghost cats".


The Snow Leopard has thick very thick fur. Its wide feet, covered in fur as well, act as natural snowshoes. It has powerful legs and can leap as far as 50 feet! These legs are used to travel between cliffs and across ravines. The Snow Leopard uses its tail for balance and as a blanket against the cold mountain air.

This white feline feeds on whatever is available in its surroundings. It prefers blue sheep and ibex, but will eat smaller animals like game birds, marmots and rodents. It will even turn to livestock if it is very hungry. The Snow Leopard prefers to kill its meal from above, using its powerful legs to leap down (and across) when needed. It can bring down an animal up to three times its weight!

The Snow Leopard is on the ENDANGERED SPECIES list. There are only 6,000 Snow Leopards left in the world. Some reasons why this beautiful cat is endangered:

1. Hunting - The Snow Leopard is hunted for its rare and beautiful coat of fur. Its body parts are also valued for traditional Chinese medicine.

2. Taste for domestic animals - This occurs mostly during the winter, when most mammal prey hibernate. The Snow Leopard will venture into areas where herders have their livestock to eat. To protect their livestock, herders need to kill the Snow Leopard.

3. Vanishing habitat - As populations grow, the natural habitats of animals are reduced. With less and less places to live and hunt, the Snow Leopard may be in danger of becoming extinct.

Snow Leopard Fast Facts
Scientific Name: Panthera Uncia
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Height: 4 to 5 feet
Weight: 60 to 120 pounds
Range: Central Asia
Diet: blue sheep, boar, marmot, ibex, rodents

Here's a video from the Snow Leopard Trust, taken from YouTube: