Snow Leopard
panthera uncia
As the prey density is low in the extreme regions of the high mountains, it is estimated that the foraging areas of snow leopards are up to 1000 square kilometres in size. This makes them (as well as Sibirian Tigers) the record holder of all cats in this respect. Their uniqueness is also confirmed by the fact that they can jump up to 16 m and that they have the thickest and longest fur of all cats.
Snow leopards are also different in further aspects from other big cats. They have a relatively short snout and a very long tail. The larynx of the snow leopard is only suitable for purring, but not for roaring. Snow leopards consume their prey crouching, just as small cats do. Tigers and lions, on the other hand, usually lie in front of the prey and hold it with their paws.
| Related to | Carnivores, cats, snow leopard (possibly 2 sub-species) | |
| Habitat | High mountains and rocky high steppes up to 6000 meters above sea level | |
| Mode of life | Mostly crepuscular and nocturnal, territorial | |
| Social structure | Solitary, females with young | |
| Diet | Meat (blue sheep, ibex, marmots, hares, birds, domestic animals) | |
| Weight | Females up to 40 kg, males up to 55 kg, newborns up to 570 g | |
| Head-torso length | up to 130 cm | |
| Shoulder height | 60 cm | |
| Tail length | up to 100 cm | |
| Gestation time | 105 - 110 days | |
| Litter size | 1 to 3 young, rarely up to 5 | |
| Age of sexual maturity | 3 years | |
| Life expectancy | 20 years | |
| Utilization | Fur, bones for Chinese Medicine | |
| Population trend | About 7000 animals in the wild, of which 2000 animals in China and Tibet, 1000 animals in Mongolia, about 400 animals in Kyrgyzstan. About 200 animals in European zoos. | |
| At Zurich Zoo since | 1929, total 59 kittens, internationally coordinated breeding (EEP) |
Distribution
Snow Leopards (Youtube Playlist)
Sponsors
| WARJUN | O. Vögele, Bülach |
| WAJRA | parkon GmbH, Winterthur |
| SHAHRUKH | Tiergarten-Gesellschaft Zürich |
| SHAHRUKH | M. Stöcklin, Meilen |
| SAIDA | R. + M. Larsson, Zug |
| SAIDA | J. Fitzi, Elsau |
Babies
Conservation status
Breeding programme
