Snow Leopard
Distribution
Central Asia
Diet
Carnivore
Habitat
Mountains
Latin Name
Panthera uncia
IUCN conservation status
These stealthy felines rely on their grey and white speckled coat to camouflage themselves and surprise their prey.
Interesting informations
Solitary and Opportunistic Predators
Capable of killing prey three times their size, they feed on wild goats, deer, marmots and wild boar. They can leap more than 10 metres to catch their prey, which they often hunt over very rough terrain.
A Body Perfectly Adapted to the Cold
A woolly layer covered with dense fur forms these felines' coat. Their nasal cavities are larger than that of other felines, allowing them to partially warm the air before it enters their lungs. Their bushy tail is about a metre long and serves as a scarf to keep their muzzle warm while they rest.
Timely Meetings for Reproduction Purposes
Difficult to observe, the snow leopard wanders alone for most of its adult life. However, couples spend a few weeks together during the breeding season. The female takes care of her cubs alone and the young stay with their mother until they reach the age of 18 to 24 months.
Declining Populations, Mainly Due to Poaching
It’s estimated that there are as few as 4,000 snow leopards left in the wild. Hunted illegally for their beautiful coats, a decline in their prey populations has also been noted. They’re also hunted by ranchers who accuse them of preying on domestic herds.
Featured animals
Elsa
Date of birth
May 31, 2015
Weight
75.9 lb / 34.5 kg
Profile
Born here at the Zoo de Granby, Elsa is following in her mother's footsteps to ensure the survival of the species and helping to maintain the species' genetics, by becoming a mother herself in 2021.
Fun fact
Elsa has a playful, dynamic and curious nature. She responds well to trainings and various enrichments: an exemplary snow leopard!
