Snow Leopards

Thousands of exotic pictures, such as Snow Leopards; other pets and exotics for sale.

www.gotpetsonline.comAdvertise here

Snow Leopards - Introduction

Photo source:
Big Cats Online © 1997-2000
Andrew Garman

The Snow Leopards are also called the Ounce. The animal belongs to big cats among which are: the tiger, lion, leopard, jaguar, puma and cheetah. The biggest and most magnificent of all the cats is the Siberian tiger. The smallest of all the wild cats are the Rusty spotted cat of India and Sri Lanka - and the Black -footed cat of southern Africa, both of which are about 40cm in length and weigh 1.3kg.

The Snow Leopards are endangered big cats that inhabit the rugged and mountainous terrain of central Asia and the Himalayan region. These are beautiful, elegant, strong animals that are nowadays endangered. For years Snow Leopards have been prized as a hunter's trophy. The main reason these cats are being destroyed is that they are a predator of domestic flocks, and a highly sought after source of valuable fur.

Scientific name: Uncia uncia.

Snow Leopards - Physical Description

The Snow Leopard has a round head, broad paws and a long, round tail. The physical characteristics of the animal are as follows:

Litter Size: About 2-3 pups.
Life Span: 15-18 years.
Length: 900-1350 mm.
Weight: Between 80 and 170 pounds as an adult.
Tail: The tail is rather long and can reach 75 to 95 percent of the length of the body.

Snow Leopards - Physical Description - Subspecies

Photo source:
JungleWalk.com ©

U.u.uncia is found in Asia, Mongolia and Russia. U.u.uncioides is found in China, Himalayas. Although the animal has such a Leopard name, the Snow Leopard cannot be closely referred to as among the group of leopards or other members of the Pantherine group. It is classified as a sole member of the genus Uncia uncia. One of the characteristics that set these animals apart from other Leopards is the fact that they cannot give this full, deep roar that other big cats can exude.

Snow Leopards - Habitat

The Snow Leopard generally occupies mountain steppes, arid and semi-arid shrub lands, and grasslands at altitudes ranging from 9,800 to 15,000 feet, but can occasionally be found at elevations as high as 18,000 feet and as low as 2000 feet.

Snow Leopards - Diet

The diet of the Snow Leopard varies by region and season, but consists mostly of wild sheep such as Bharal (Blue Sheep) and Argali, goats, including Markhor and Ibex goats, and smaller animals such as-pikas, zokrs and marmots, hare varieties and birds. These animals are very strong and are capable of killing animals up to three times their own weight and will kill a large animal about twice a month. Usually Snow Leopards do not eat all the prey at once, they usually eat it for several days.