The snow leopard is not regarded as being closely related to the other big cats of the Pantherine group. It is not able to give a full-throated roar like that of the lion and tiger. One subspecies frequents China and the Himalayas while the other is found across Asia Eduardo Herrera Jersey , Mongolia and Russia.
Despite its huge range, snow leopards occupy only small pockets of land. It is found in mountainous regions, mostly between 2,000 and 4 Jesus Manuel Corona Jersey ,000 metres, and keeps to high ridges, rocky outcrops and mountain passes. It has adapted to these cold regions in various ways. Fat is stored in the tail; the soles of the paws are covered in fur and the compact body loses less heat. The paws are wide and spread out to prevent the animal sinking in the snow.
The average weight is between 27 and 55kg. The legs are short, giving the animal a total height of about 60cm. The base colour of the pelage is grey with brown-yellow tinges on the flanks and much lighter underparts. The body is covered with dark Juan Carlos Medina Jersey , broken rosettes and there are solid spots on the tail, head and legs. The head is small with rounded ears and a heavy brow. The eyes are a distinctive pale green to grey.
It is beautifully camouflaged and is very secretive. Most activity is carried around dawn and again at dusk. Being opportunistic carnivores, they will eat whatever comes their way. Being strong and muscular, they can bring down prey which may be several times their own size. They often stalk prey for a period before ambushing it. They can pursue prey down mountain slopes and are able to jump up to 45 feet.
They mark out territories but do not defend them aggressively. The gestation period is about 98 days Javier Guemez Jersey , with cubs being born in the spring. This ensures there is plenty of food available. Two cubs are usual and are born in a rocky den that the mother has lined with fur from her belly. The cubs are blind at birth but have fur. At ten weeks of age they are weaned. They then stay with the mother until they are around eighteen months old.
Wild prey includes members of the goat and sheep families. They supplement this diet with deer, birds, langur monkeys, marmots and rodents. They also eat grass and twigs. If they bring down a large mammal Mario Osuna Jersey , they will return over several days to feed on the carcase.
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