What is snow leopard

Snow leopards live at high altitudes, usually at elevations of 3,,m. They prefer steep, broken terrain like cliffs, rocky outcrops and ravines. Having short forelimbs and long hind legs help keep them agile in their steep and rugged environment. Unlike other big cats, snow leopards can't roar. Snow leopards have a 'main' call described as a 'piercing yowl' that's so loud it can be heard over the roar of a river.

Despite being called the snow 'leopard', this big cat is more closely related to the tiger than the leopard. Snow leopards' wide, fur-covered feet act as natural snowshoes - helping distribute their weight over soft snow and protecting them from the cold. Snow leopards are really well camouflaged! Their long fur and less distinctive markings that seem to change shape with body movement make identifying individual snow leopards difficult compared to other big cats like tigers, leopards and jaguars, which have more distinctive markings.

Least Concern Extinct. Current Population Trend: Decreasing. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo. Share Tweet Email. Go Further. Animals Climate change is shrinking many Amazonian birds.

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Read our Privacy Policy for more information. Match Your Gift. Check here to see if your company participates in a matching gift program. You may be able to double, or even triple, the impact of your gift! Contributions of any amount help you take action to ensure a future for wild cats and the landscapes they protect. Latest Snow Leopard News. Community-based ecotourism in Ladakh promotes positive perceptions of snow leopards.

Hilarious moment a snow leopard loses her cool as she is spooked by a new camera in her enclosure. Range countries to lead new estimate of global snow leopard population as downgraded threat status remains controversial.

New field ranger training guidelines, could save the lives of those on the front line of the poaching battle. Leopards moving into snow leopard mountain territory on Tibetan plateau as climate warms.

See more news. Scientific Publications. Modelling potential habitat for snow leopards Panthera uncia in Ladakh, India. Detection of a snow leopard population in northern Bortala, Xinjiang, China. Investigating the potential impact of trophy hunting of wild ungulates on snow leopard Panthera uncia conservation in Tajikistan.

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