Snow leopard

Panthera uncia

Irish Name: Liopard sneachta
IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Snow leopards are big cats known for their beautiful silver, white and black fur and green eyes. They have a powerful jaw and thick fur that protects them from the cold. They have short stocky limbs for climbing and extra-large paws that act like snowshoes.  They have a long thick furry tail which they use as a scarf to keep their heads warm in the cold mountainous climates they live in.

Snow leopard

Panthera uncia

Irish Name: Liopard sneachta
IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Snow leopards are big cats known for their beautiful silver, white and black fur and green eyes. They have a powerful jaw and thick fur that protects them from the cold. They have short stocky limbs for climbing and extra-large paws that act like snowshoes.  They have a long thick furry tail which they use as a scarf to keep their heads warm in the cold mountainous climates they live in.

General Information

Where do they live? (Natural habitat)

Snow leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia in countries such as Nepal, Pakistan, China, India, Russia and Mongolia, among others. In the Himalayas, snow leopards are usually found between 3,000 and 5,400 m above sea level. In Mongolia and Russia, they are found at lower altitudes.

How long do they live?

10-12 years in the wild, up to 20 in zoos.

What do they eat?

Snow leopards are carnivores (meat-eaters). Their main sources of food are the blue sheep (also known as bharal), the Asiatic ibex (a large wild goat), and the argali, a wild mountain sheep. They hunt a large animal approximately every 8-10 days.

Group name

Snow leopards are solitary so they do not have a group name.

Zoo location

Himalayan Hills

Closest related species / sister species

The closest relative of the snow leopard is the tiger (Panthera tigris).

Animal class

Mammalia

Animal order

Carnivora

Fun facts

Fluffy paws

Snow leopards have extra-large paws that act like snowshoes to keep them from sinking in the snow.

The long jump

Snow leopards can jump as far as 15 m and can jump 6 m vertically.

Can you hear me?

Unlike the other big cats, snow leopards are unable to roar. Instead, they make a puffing sound called a ‘chuff’. They also make a range of other noises including hisses, growls and mews.

On the move

Snow leopards are nomadic and constantly move around their territory to hunt. They also make long treks out of their home ranges and can cover great distances in a short period of time.

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Family Life

The snow leopard leads a solitary life, only coming together with others to mate. During this time, the male and female will stay together for a few days. The female will give birth in a sheltered den site and raises the cubs on her own. By 2 years old, the cubs become independent of their mother.

Baby name

Cub

Gestation (pregnancy) period

3 – 3.5 months

Number of young at birth

1-5 cubs (2-3 on average)

Weight at birth

300 - 600 g

Age at maturity

3 years for females and 4 years for males

Size adult

55- 65 cm in height, 90 – 115 cm in length, with a tail of approximately 100 cm.

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Conservation

Vulnerable

The snow leopard is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Current population estimate

The IUCN estimates that less than 8,000 individuals are estimated to be living in the wild, scattered across 12 range countries.

Threats

Snow leopards sometimes come into conflict with local farmers, when they kill the farmers’ domestic livestock, causing the farmers large economic losses. They also face the threat of poaching for their body parts, as well as habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change and the poaching of the prey that they rely on for food.

What is Dublin Zoo doing?

In 2009, Dublin Zoo began working with the Snow Leopard Trust. The Snow Leopard Trust was founded in 1981 and is now the leading authority on the study and protection of snow leopards. Their conservation philosophy is based on sound science and research coupled with building community partnerships.

The funding from Dublin Zoo is going towards five on-going, sustainable and community-driven projects in Mongolia. India and Pakistan.

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FAQs

  • Why are snow leopards endangered?

    Snow leopards are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. They sometimes come into conflict with local farmers, when they kill the farmers’ domestic livestock, causing them large economic losses. They also face the threat of poaching for their body parts, as well as habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change and the poaching of the prey that they rely on for food.

  • What do snow leopards eat?

    Snow leopards are carnivores (meat-eaters). Their main sources of food are the blue sheep (also known as bharal), the Asiatic ibex (a large wild goat), and the argali, a wild mountain sheep. They hunt a large animal approximately every 8-10 days.

  • Where do snow leopards live?

    Snow leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia in countries such as Nepal, Pakistan, China, India, Russia and Mongolia, among others. In the Himalayas, snow leopards are usually found between 3,000 and 5,400 m above sea level. In Mongolia and Russia, they are found at lower altitudes.

  • How many snow leopards are left in the world?

    The IUCN estimates that 2,700-3,400 mature individuals live in the wild.

  • How big is a snow leopard?

    55- 65 cm in height, 90 – 115 cm in length, with a tail of approximately 100 cm.

  • How long do snow leopards live?

    Snow leopards can live up to 10-12 years in the wild, and up to 20 in zoos.

  • How fast can a snow leopard run?

    Snow leopards can run at top speeds of up to 65 km per hour.

     

  • How far can a snow leopard jump?

    Snow leopards can jump as far as 15 m and can jump 6 m vertically.

  • Why are snow leopards important?

    Snow leopards are top predators in their environment; they prey on herbivores. This helps keep animal populations in control in the area so that it doesn’t become over-grazed, leaving no food for other wildlife. This means that by protecting snow leopards, we are also protecting lots of other species in the same region.

  • How can we help snow leopards?

    We can help save snow leopards by supporting projects like The Snow Leopard Trust. We can also try to make sustainable choices in our lives that will help protect the environment.

  • How do snow leopards breathe in cold temperatures?

    Snow leopards have short but wide nasal cavities that heat the freezing air prior to it reaching the lungs.

  • How do snow leopards catch their prey?

    Snow leopards stalk their prey, usually from higher up, and then pounce on it from a distance.

  • How much does a snow leopard eat per day?

    Snow leopards eat a large animal every 8-10 days. They will also settle for much smaller prey if that’s all that’s available.

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