The surfaces of the snow
leopard's paws are covered by a cushion of hair
which increases the surface area of the paws to
allow for better traction in soft snow or on ice.
This added insulation also protects the leopard's
paws from the cold. The snow leopard has a
long tail that helps to maintain balance and
accuracy while jumping. The tail is thickly
furred. When it is very cold, the snow leopard
curls the tail around the body, using the end of
the tail to keep the nose warm. Solitary
creatures, only pairing during the breeding
season. They search for prey along stream
valleys, using ridges and cliffs as a vantage
point from which to spot and ambush prey or to
escape from potential danger.
When ambushing their prey, they spring from a
distance of 20 to 50 feet. They follow
migrating prey along their annual migration
routes. Unlike other cats, the snow leopard
does not roar and it eats in a crouching
position. Snow leopards are considered
nocturnal, but seem to be most active in the
early morning and late afternoon. They den in
rocky caverns and crevices. Extremely
rare in most of their range due to the demand for
skins. Although trade in snow leopard furs
is illegal, it continues to be very active,
threatening the snow leopard's existence. An
estimated 3,000-10,000 are left in the wild, and
about 370 are in captivity. Even though the
snow leopard is endangered in much of its range,
hunting snow leopards by permit is still allowed
in Mongolia where officials believe there are
3000-4000 animals and threaten domestic herds.
Combined with human encroachment on their
habitat, the snow leopard is disappearing from
its wilderness at an alarming rate.
Unfortunately, due to the remote habitat of the
snow leopard, populations and life history are
not well understood.
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