Snow Leopard

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Phyiscal Description

Base fur color ranges from light gray to smoke gray, shading to white on the belly.

The head, neck, and lower limbs are covered with solid spots, while the rest of the body is covered with small rose like large rings that often enclose smaller spots.

The fur is very thick, one inch long on the back, two inches long on the tail, and three inches long on the belly.

The tails are extremely long in comparison to other cats, measuring almost as long as the body.

They use the tail both for balance and covering their body, nose, and mouth during times of sub-zero temperatures.

Also characteristic of snow leopards are the very large and furry paws, functioning both as snow shoes and padding against sharp rocks.

 

Physical characteristics

 

CHARACTERISTICS   Head to body length 40 to 52 inches

Tail Length

32 to 40 inches

Height

20 to 26 inches

Weight

55 to 165 pounds (25-75 kg)

Range

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Himalayas, and east to China.

Habitat

mountain slopes, and forest. 

Gestation Period  :

98 – 103 days

Diet

 Ibex, Marcher, wild sheep, goats, boar, Pheasants, partridges, and Snowcoack

Status

There are approximately 5,000 leopards left the wild. Now they have been legally protected in zoos only.

Reason for the status

Poaching, killing it for fur, hunting, and habitat destruction. 

Life Span

15 – 18 years in wild / 15- 21 years in captivity

 

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SNOW LEOPARD – CLEVELAND ZOO OHIO