Snow Leopard - Five Sisters Zoo

Known as the ‘ghost of the mountain’, the Snow Leopard occupies territories in the Himalayan Mountains and other high peaks across portions of the Asian continent. Their coat is very thick with black rosette-type spots over a cream to grey fur. Snow Leopards possess some of the strongest hind limbs and are able to leap up to six times the length of their own body while hunting their prey.

Facts

Diet: Carnivore; Ibex, marmots, hares, other small mammals.

Weight: 30-60kg

Length: 2.2-2.5m including tail, which can be 1m long

Habitat: China, Russia, Nepal, Bhutan, other countries bordering the Himalayan and Siberian Mountains; steep, rocky cliff areas above the tree line.

Life span: 10 years in the wild, up to 20 under human care

Adapted to survive

  • Skulls and blood composition have evolved to make the most of the limited oxygen at higher altitudes
  • Large paws act as snowshoes to support their weight on snow and ice, and also keep their footsteps muffled as they hunt
  • They can endure temperatures of – 40° C

Threats

  • Poaching
  • Climate change
  • Habitat fragmentation and loss

 

IUCN Conservation Status

Vulnerable

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