Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard[1]
Uncia uncia.jpg
Conservation status
Status iucn3.1 EN.svg
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Uncia
Species: U. uncia
Binomial name
Uncia uncia
(Yu et al., 1976)
Range map
Range map

The snow leopard (Uncia uncia), sometimes known as the ounce, is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia. The classification of this species has been subject to change and its exact taxonomic position is still unclear.

It cannot roar, despite possessing an incomplete ossification of the hyoid bone, which was previously thought to be essential for allowing the big cats to roar. However, new studies show that the ability to roar is due to other morphological features, especially of the larynx, which are absent in the snow leopard.[3]

Contents

Description

Snow leopards are smaller than the other big cats but like them, exhibit a range of sizes, generally weighing between 27 and 54 kg (60–120 lb). Body length ranges from 74–130 cm (39–51 in) with a tail of nearly the same length.[4]

Snow leopards have long thick fur, the base colour of which varies from smokey grey to yellowish tan, with whitish underparts. They have dark grey to black open rosettes on their body with small spots of the same colour on their heads and larger spots on their legs and tail.[4]

Snow leopards show several adaptations for living in cold mountainous environments. Their bodies are stocky, their fur is thick, and their ears are small and rounded, all of which help to minimise heat-loss. Their feet are wide, which distributes their weight better for walking on snow, and they have fur on their undersides to increase their traction on steep and unstable surfaces, as well as to assist with minimising heat-loss. Snow leopards' tails are long and flexible which help them to maintain their balance. The tails are also especially thickly covered with fur which, apart from minimising heat-loss, allows them to be used like a blanket to protect their faces when asleep.[4][5]

Taxonomy

In the past, many taxonomists included the snow leopard in the genus Panthera, with several of the other largest felids, but later it was placed in its own genus, Uncia. It was thought to be not closely related to the leopard (Panthera pardus) but in fact to be closer to the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). However, a recent molecular study places the species firmly within the genus Panthera, although the exact position remains unclear.[6]

Distribution

The snow leopard's range in central and south Asia is rugged mountainous regions of approximately 1,230,000 square kilometers, which extends through 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The geographic distribution stretches from the Hindukush in eastern Afghanistan and the Syre Darya through the mountains of Pamir, Tian Shan, Karakorum, Kashmir, Kunlun, and the Himalaya to southern Siberia, where the range covers the Russian Altai mountains, Sajan, Tannu-Ola mountains and the mountains to the west of Lake Baikal. In Mongolia it is found in the Mongolian and Gobi Altai and the Khangai Mountains. In Tibet it is found up to the Altyn-Tagh in the North.[7]

Ecology and behaviour

In summer, the snow leopard usually lives above the tree line on mountainous meadows and in rocky regions at an altitude of 2,700 m (8,900 ft) to 6,000 m (20,000 ft). In winter, it comes down into the forests to an altitude of around 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It leads largely a solitary life, although mothers may rear cubs for extended periods of time in dens in the mountains.

An individual snow leopard lives within a well defined home range but does not defend its territory aggressively when encroached upon by other snow leopards. Home ranges vary greatly in size. In Nepal, where prey is abundant, a home range may be as small as 12 km2 (5 sq mi) to 39 km2 (15 sq mi) and up to 5 to 10 animals are found here per 100 km2 (39 sq mi); whereas, in habitats with sparse prey, an area of 1,000 km2 (386 sq mi) supports only 5 of these cats.[3]

Snow leopards are crepuscular being most active at dawn and dusk.[4]

Feeding

Snow leopards are carnivores and actively hunt their prey, but like all cats are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever meat it can find including carrion and domestic livestock. They are capable of killing animals three times their size but will readily take much smaller prey such as hares and birds.[5]

The diet of the snow leopard varies across their range and is dependant on prey availability. In the Himalayas it eats mostly bharals (Himalayan blue sheep) but in other mountain ranges such as the Karakorum, Tian Shan, and Altai, its main prey consists of ibexes and argali, a type of wild sheep.[4] Other large animals eaten include various types of wild goats and sheep such as markhors and urials, deer, and boars. Smaller prey consists of marmots, woolly hares, various rodents, and birds such as the snow cock and chukar.[5][4]

It is not averse to taking domestic livestock which brings it into direct conflict with humans. Herders will kill snow leopards to prevent them from taking their animals.[5]

Snow leopards prefer to ambush prey from above and can leap as far as 14 meters (46 ft).[8]

Breeding

Snow leopards usually mate in late winter and have a gestation period of 90–100 days. Litter sizes vary from one to five cubs but two or three is more usual. The cubs remain with their mother until they become independent after around 18–22 months.[4]

Snow leopards normally live for 15–18 years, but may live for up to 20 years in captivity.

Population and conservation

Snow leopard at zoo d'Amnéville, France
Snow leopard

The total wild population of the snow leopard is estimated at between 4,000 and 7,500 individuals (see table below). In 1972 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, (IUCN) placed the snow leopard on its Red List of Threatened Species as "Endangered," the same classification given the panda and the tiger.

There are also 600-700 snow leopards in zoos around the world.[9]

Range Country Habitat Area
(sq. km.)		 Estimated
Population[9]
Afghanistan 50,000 100-200
Bhutan 15,000 100-200
China 1,100,000 2,000-5,000
India 75,000 200-600
Kazakhstan 50,000 180-200
Kyrgyz Republic 105,000 150-500
Mongolia 101,000 500-1000
Nepal 30,000 300-500
Pakistan 80,000 200-420
Tajikistan 100,000 180-220
Uzbekistan 10,000 20-50
Snow leopard in the San Diego Zoo.

Protected Areas:

Much progress has been made in securing the survival of the snow leopard, with snow leopards being successfully bred in captivity. The animals usually give birth to 2 to 3 cubs in a litter, but can give birth to up to 7 in some cases.

Conservation efforts

There are numerous agencies working to conserve the snow leopard and its threatened mountain ecosystems. These include the Snow Leopard Trust, the Snow Leopard Conservancy and the Snow Leopard Network. These groups and numerous national governments from the snow leopard's range, non-profits and donors from around the world recently worked together at the 10th International Snow Leopard Conference in Beijing. Their focus on research, community programs in snow leopard regions and education programs are aimed at understanding the cat's needs as well as the needs of the villagers and herder communities impacting snow leopards' lives and habitat.[14]

Snow leopard in heraldry

The snow leopard (almost invariably known in heraldry as the ounce) (Aq Bars) is a national symbol for Tatars and Kazakhs: a snow leopard is found on the official seal of the city of Almaty, and a winged snow leopard is found on Tatarstan's coat of arms. A similar leopard is featured at the coat of arms of North Ossetia-Alania. The snow leopard award was given to Soviet mountaineers who scaled all five of the Soviet Union's 7000m peaks. In addition, the snow leopard is the symbol of the Girl Scout Association of Kyrgyzstan.

References

  1. ↑ Wozencraft, W. C. (16 November 2005). Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds). ed.. Mammal Species of the World (3rd edition ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 548. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14000269. 
  2. ↑ Jackson, R., Mallon, D., McCarthy, T., Chundaway, R.A. & Habib, B. (2008). Panthera uncia. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2008. Retrieved on 9 October 2008.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Nowak, Ronald M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "Snow Leopard Fact Sheet". Snow Leopard Trust (2008). Retrieved on 2008-10-23.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Snow Leopard profile". National Geographic (2008). Retrieved on 2008-10-23.
  6. ↑ Johnson, W.E.; Eizirik, E., Pecon-Slattery, J., Murphy, W.J., Antunes, A., Teeling, E. & O'Brien, S.J. (6 January 2006). "The Late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: A genetic assessment.". Science 311 (5757): pp73-77. doi:10.1126/science.1122277. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/311/5757/73. Retrieved on 2008-10-24. 
  7. ↑ Mammals of the Soviet Union. Vol III: Carnivores (Feloidea).
  8. ↑ "Animal Bytes: snow leopard". San Diego Zoo (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Population and Protections". Snow Leopard Trust (2008). Retrieved on 2008-07-03.
  10. ↑ UNESCO World Heritage Centre Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks. Brief Description. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  11. ↑ Snow Leopard Conservancy. 2006. Training park managers in the conservation of snow leopards. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  12. ↑ UNESCO World Heritage Center. Sagarmatha National Park: Brief Description. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  13. ↑ Snow Leopard Network. 2005. Camera Trapping of Snow Leopards in the Muzat Valley. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  14. ↑ Theile, Stephanie “Fading footprints; the killing and trade of snow leopards” TRAFFIC International, 2003

External links