Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)

Snow Leopard

The Snow Leopard is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. Snow Leopards live between 3,000 and 5,500 metres above sea level in the rocky mountain ranges of Central Asia. However, their secretive nature means that their exact numbers are not known, although it has been estimated that between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards exist in the wild.

Snow leopards usually mate in late winter and have a gestation period of 90–100 days, so that the cubs are born between April and June. The mother gives birth in a rocky den lined with fur shed from her underside. Litter sizes vary from one to five cubs. The cubs are blind and helpless at birth, although already with a thick coat of fur. The eyes open at around seven days, and the cubs able to walk at five weeks and are fully weaned by ten weeks. The cubs leave the den at around two to four months of age, but remain with their mother until they become independent after around 18–22 months. Once independent, they may disperse over considerable distances, even crossing wide expanses of flat terrain to seek out new hunting grounds.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_Leopard - 07.05.2010

Snow Leopard

The Snow Leopard belongs to the smaller members of the Pantherinae. But this species with a body length from 75 to 130 cm and a weight from 27 to 54 kg is very variable in size.

ContactDEǀEN
brilliant creation - nature pictures and articles
previous pagenext page
overview of "Mammals"
more options
full screenclose full screen
Would you like to share some excellent nature pictures in high resolution?
Do you have suggestions or questions reffering to creation?
Please, contact us: info[]brilliant-creation.org - Internet: www.brilliant-creation.org

Please, keep in mind, that most of the nature fotos on brilliant-creation.org are protected by copyright and therefore may not be used elsewhere without written permission respectively appropriate picture credits.
Show additional information about the image's subjectHide additional information about the image's subject