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