Snow Leopards - Population
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Snow Leopards
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There is no complete information regarding its numbers because it is not available, but almost everywhere Snow Leopards are considered to be rare or in decline. As a matter of fact, the main threat is still the loss of habitat. Animals have lost their territories that influence their population due to human expansion.
Nowadays there are more than 150 Snow Leopards that live in zoos where they have been bred successfully. The Snow Leopard is now listed as an endangered species so that it is legally protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In some places, however, enforcement of regulations is difficult.
Snow Leopards - Behavior
Snow Leopards are solitary and territorial cats. They are active mostly during dawn and dusk. Sometimes Snow Leopards can hunt livestock too and, thus, do a lot of damage to the subsistence of herders' livestock and, as a result, are often killed in retaliation.
The manner of hunting the prey is the following: the cat often uses the natural protection of the terrain to stalk its prey, keeping low below the skyline and pouncing down onto its victim. These animals are solitary hunters but may share the task with its mate during its breeding season.
The Snow Leopard is generally not aggressive toward man unlike tigers, for example. During the cold harsh winters an animal can approach human habitation close and hunt livestock as well. This fact makes the animals unpleasant for people and causes man to hunt it. But, there are conservation organizations that are now working with local inhabitants to help educate the locals about the need for conservation management and to supply financial reparation for the loss of domestic stock.
Snow Leopards - Endangered Status
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International Snow Leopard Trust
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There are many organizations and groups all over the world that are actively involved in research, study and conservation of the wildcat species and their ecosystems. One of them is the International Snow Leopard Trust. The organization is actively involved in the conservation of the Snow Leopard and its mountain habitat.
The International Snow Leopard Trust was established in 1981 and works within Central Asia helping to promote conservation projects within local communities where Snow Leopards are often killed in retaliation for livestock predation and where the hunting of the mountain cat for its fur, bones and organs, used in many traditional medicines, is common place. Usually Snow Leopards are found above the tree line and near permanent snow in central Asia's dry mountainous country away from most populated areas.
Snow Leopards - General Information-Links
Catsurvivaltrust.org - Collections with Leopard Cats. Entries in RED are not open to the public.
CKWRI. Snow Leopards - Feline Research Program - Leopard Cat Project
Dialspace - Provides information about the clouded leopard. Facts include habitat map, life span, and description.
Exzooberance - Brief facts about Snow Leopards.
Gulf-news - An article dedicated Snow Leopards extinction. Reasons of that extinction. Pictures.
Kidsplanet.org - Includes color photographs and facts about the appearance, size, diet, habitat, and life span of this solitary feline.
Leopard Cat - Contains information such as body size and habitat about the Leopard.
Oakhillcenter - Short facts about Snow Leopards.
PBS.org - Contains information about the snow leopard. Information includes habitat, description, and food sources.
Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia) - Physical characteristics, habitat, distribution, social system, and diet of this species. Includes a photo and range map.
Snow Leopard Cats Rare - There are two species of Snow Leopards. There are many varieties of leopard cats, and their markings range greatly depending upon the terrain in which they live.
Snow Leopard Description - Describes the appearance of the species and tells of its importance to the diet of the snow leopard.
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Photo source:
International Snow Leopard Trust
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Snow Leopard Name - Snow Leopard Name. Description, behavior, diet.
Snow Leopard Pictures - The endangered Snow Leopard inhabitant. Distribution, behavior, diet.
Snow Leopards and Lions - This page is dedicated to the awareness and preservation of some of the Snow Leopard, tigers and lions.
Snow Leopards Cats - Description of Snow Leopards and other big cats such as the tiger, lion, leopard, jaguar, puma and cheetah.
Snow Leopards Cattales - Snow Leopards as endangered animals. Some facts about Snow Leopards.
Snow Leopards Pics - Pictures of Snow Leopards.
Snow Leopards Wild Cats - Information about Snow Leopards that are the most widespread and adaptable big cat, and are found in almost every habitat, from desert to rainforest.
Snow Leopards Zoo - Niche/Habitat of Snow Leopard. Zoo Observations, adaptations and general information.
Snowleopardconservancy - The Snow Leopard Conservancy is dedicated to demonstrating innovative, grassroots measures leading local people toward effective stewardship of the endangered snow leopard and its habitat.
They range from Africa through the Middle East, India and China, north to southern Siberia, and south through the Malay Peninsula to the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, and Java.
Uncia uncia (Snow Leopard) - Description from the Animal Diversity Web, including geographic range, physical characteristics, natural history, economic importance, and conservation status.
Wildcatsanctuary.org - Tells of the sanctuary's mission to provide lifetime care for captive wildcats. Introduces some of the feline residents.
Wildlife Photography - Pictures of Snow Leopards.
Wildlifeartistassoc - Information about Snow Leopards. Their habitat, behavior, breeding and etc.
Worldwildlife.org - Snow Leopards description, habitat, pictures.
WWF.org - Presents the big cat's habitat, characteristics, life cycle, and endangered status. Learn about its adaptations. Snow Leopards.
WWW.Lazycat.org - Presents description of their physical characteristics, behavior, habitat and feeding habits. Read about conservation and threats to leopards.
