Snow Leopard

**Snow Leopards**

*Uncia uncia*, commonly known as the snow leopard, is found in 12 countries across Central Asia, although the majority of the habitat of this animal is located in China. They live in the mountains, usually at elevations between 9,500 and 17,000 feet, although they are known to pursue prey at lower elevations during the winter months. Prey ranges from smaller mammals (rodents, hares, etc.) to animals up to three times their own weight. Common prey for the snow leopard include wild sheep and goats, as well as domestic livestock. They are also known to eat grass and other vegetation. Due to their occasional hunting of domestic livestock, as well as the fact that their pelts can sell for up to $60,000 on the black market, they are often hunted. It is estimated that only between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards still exist in the wild. Unlike other big cats, snow leopards cannot roar. Instead, they make a sort of 'chuffing' sound. Their lifespan in the wild ranges from 10-13 years, but in captivity they are known to live as long as 22 years.

**First Steps**

The gestation period of the snow leopard ranges between 93 and 110 days. Usually two to four cubs are born at a time in June or July. While they can have a litter of up to seven, this is not sustainable in the wild. The mother takes sole responsibility for the care of her young, as the male will leave within a week of mating. Infants will not open their eyes until they are around a week old, and do not consume solid food until they are about two months of age. Once they are three months old, they can begin to venture outside of their den to follow their mother and learn how to hunt.

http://www.panthera.org/programs/snow-leopard/videos-snow-leopard-mother-and-cubs-dens-recorded-mongolia

**Growing Up**

Once cubs are three months old, they begin to venture out of the den to learn new skills, such as how to hunt. Not much is known about specific behaviors that the snow leopard may engage in, due to the inaccessibility of their habitat, how well they blend in with the environment, and the fact that they are endangered. Snow leopards mainly hunt alone, although they are known to hunt with a mate during breeding season or potentially in areas where territory overlaps. This process includes one snow leopard chasing prey while the other lies in wait to kill it. When hunting alone, snow leopards often sneak up on their prey before leaping at them (this can occur between lengths from 20-45 feet)! and killing usually involved a bite to the neck to crush the throat while the massive paws of the animal keep it in place. The learning process of the cubs would probably include observation and then hunting of smaller prey. Snow leopard cubs often play with one another and practice their skills. Lots of running and pouncing is involved during this time, likely to prepare for future hunts. This behavior is seen in captivity, but most likely occurs in the wild.

**Home**

Snow leopards live at extremely high elevations. These contain harsh conditions in which to live. The size of an individual snow leopard's territory ranges from 12-39 km2with a great deal of overlapping regions. Territory is marked with scrapings and scents. Snow leopards will dig out depressions with their hind paws and urinate or defecate into them to mark a region. Before a female snow leopard gives birth, she seeks out a sheltered den site that can be a safe place for her cubs as they grow up. The cubs spend the early part of their lives there. They are ready to leave and seek out their own home range when they are between 18 and 22 months old.

**Power**

Snow leopards are solitary animals, so any hierarchical structure that existed would be much looser than seen in other species. There is some sexual dimorphism in the species. Males are roughly 30% larger than females, on average. Males weigh between 90 and 115 lbs, while females weigh between 75 and 90. Male and female snow leopards are equally capable of the tasks necessary for survival, and the female takes care of her young as well.

**Courtship**

Female snow leopards become sexually mature by the age of 2 or 3, but males only become sexually mature at age four. During mating season, which occurs from January to mid-March, a male and female snow leopard will find one another. Females are known to climb to peaks in their territory and make wailing noises to let males in the area know she is ready to mate. Snow leopards will also urinate or defecate in areas to communicate with other snow leopards, as scents from this waste can communicate age, gender, and readiness to mate. Once a male has found a female, they travel together for a few days and mate. After this time, the male will leave and return to his own territory. Female snow leopards mate every other year due to the fact that they are taking care of their young for more than a year. Males can mate annually.

**Parenthood**

The female snow leopard is the only one involved in raising her young. As a mother, she must provide for them until they leave home. Finding food can be especially difficult during winter months, even for the most experienced leopards. They will groom their young, and take them out to learn how to hunt once they are old enough.

http://www.arkive.org/snow-leopard/panthera-uncia/video-00a.html