Have you ever seen a creature more beautiful than the snow leopard? Since 1972, this animal has sadly been listed on the endangered species list, though a glimmer of hope is now peaking through for these mighty mountain cats. Nevertheless, after a 3-year assessment of population decline rates, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the status of the snow leopard to 'vulnerable'.
Conservationist Tom McCarthy stated that 'the species still faces a high risk of extinction in the wild, and is likely still declining, just not at the rate previously thought.' Unfortunately, snow leopards are heavily hunted for their thick skin and bones, leading to a rapidly decreasing adult population in the wild. Yet, while the world needs to be extremely cautious about the status of snow leopards, we can at least celebrate this small victory in the continued fight for their survival.
So, to celebrate this stunning feline in all of its glory, here are some beautiful images of snow leopards, accompanied with some impressive facts.
These creatures are generally smaller than most cats, weighing only about 30-55 kg. In length, they measure about 80-135 cm long.
Unlike most cats, the snow leopard lives in harsh, cold climates so its thick and furry tail acts as a muffler to shield its nose and mouth. In fact, its tail is almost as long as its body.
While its fur around its belly is about 5 inches thick!
These animals are often described as shy creatures and are rarely seen out in the open. In fact, when they sense human presence, they become nocturnal animals, avoiding unneccessary encounters with humans that may be a threat or danger.
Snow leopards are independent and solitary creatures, living alone most of the time, and only socializing during mating season.
In comparison to other big cats, the snow leopard is not aggressive, so much so that when threatened by another predator it may choose to back away, leaving its well-earned kill to be finished by the invader.
Common prey that snow leopards like to indulge on includes deer, wild goats, sheep, snow cocks, pikas, rodents, marmots and wild boars.
On average, a female can give birth to a litter of one to five cubs. The young cubs will live with their mothers until two years of age - roughly about the same time they eat solid food.
An average snow leopard lives between 15 to 18 years of age, though some snow leopards bred in captivity have lived up to 21.
Let's preserve and take care of these beautiful creatures for generations to come.
