snow leopard (Uncia uncia)
Description:
The elegant snow leopard is one of the world’s most elusive cats. Sparsely distributed across 12 countries in central Asia, it’s usually found in high, rugged mountain landscapes at elevations of 3,000-4,500m.Snow leopards are solitary creatures. They usually hunt at dawn and dusk. They’re successful predators, able to kill prey up to three times their own weight.Their beautiful spotted coats change with the seasons – from a background of thick, white fur to keep them warm and camouflaged in winter, to a fine yellow-grey coat in the summer. The pattern of spots is unique to each individual snow leopard. Conflict with people and loss of prey are persistent threats to this rare cat. Over the past 20 years, snow leopard numbers have declined by at least 20% – though exact numbers are uncertain because these cats are so elusive. I have seen them at one of the protected area in China. they really really beautiful. they are Able to leap 50 feet horizontally! Able to jump 20 feet vertically! It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's a snow leopard! This species, like the clouded leopard, is one of those that is somewhere between the small cats and the great cats in that it can't purr like the small cats and it can't roar like the true great cats. It makes a happy sound similar to the tiger's cuffing. they are strong and elegant. i gonna use some picture and video to illustrate how spectacular they are. And the most amazing part is the tail. their tails have very important function when they are hunting.
location: These rare, beautiful gray leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia. They are insulated by thick hair, and their wide, fur-covered feet act as natural snowshoes. Snow leopards have powerful legs and are tremendous leapers, able to jump as far as 15 meters They use their long tails for balance and as blankets to cover sensitive body parts against the severe mountain chill.
Threats to snow leopards:
Habitat fragmentation
In many areas the snow leopard’s habitat is becoming degraded and fragmented because of human settlements and grazing by domestic livestock.
Human-wildlife conflict
The snow leopard’s natural prey is also in decline – because of illegal hunting and competition from livestock. As a result, snow leopards sometimes prey on livestock, which can result in local people killing them in retaliation, to protect their livelihoods. This is now one of the biggest threats to snow leopards in many parts of their range.
Climate change
Climate change is an emerging threat. As our planet becomes warmer, plants and trees that are not able to survive in cooler temperatures are now growing higher up the mountains. This is pushing the treeline upwards and therefore reducing the amount of alpine habitat further up. This is shifting, shrinking and fragmenting snow leopard habitat.
what can we do!
Working with local communities
We work with communities to help manage and reduce conflict between snow leopards and people. For example, we can helped build leopard-proof livestock pens, and we can set up compensation schemes for farmers who lose livestock to snow leopards.
Tackling illegal wildlife trade
We also work alongside the wildlife trade monitoring network to investigate, expose and crack down on the illegal trade in snow leopard products – and to reduce the demand so that this trade is no longer a significant threat to snow leopard conservation.
