You might only know snow leopards from their distinct fur color, but do you want to know more about them? Look no further! This page will tell you all about the cats including where they live and what they eat. Also, the information below was used to design the enclosure for snow leopards.
Animal Name: Snow Leopard
Scientific Name: Panthera uncia
What the scientific name means: Pan means "all" and ther means "prey" bearing the meaning of "predator of all animals," while uncia literally means "snow leopard"
How the scientific name fits the animal: Snow leopards are predators of many other smaller animals and they are commonly called "snow leopards" in English
Range (where it's found in the world): Snow leopards are found at altitudes between 9,800 and 17,000 feet in the rugged mountains of Central Asia
Climate (what kind of climate they like): The climate they live in is cold and dry, temperatures ranging from -40 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and only grasses and small shrubs can grow on the steep mountain slopes
Habitat (environmental zone where it lives and finds food, shelter, protection, mates, etc.): Snow leopards prefer the broken terrain of cliffs, rocky outcrops, and ravines because these types of habitat provide good cover and clear views to help them find prey without their food being noticed
Diet: Able to kill prey up to three times their own weight, snow leopards eat blue sheep, Argali wild sheep, mountain ibex, marmots, deer, pikas, hares, game birds, and many other kinds of prey Social Interactions: These cats are completely solitary except for a few exceptions when it is mating season from January to March or if a mother is raising her cubs during spring or summer
Lifespan: Snow leopards live around 15 to 18 years, but have been known to live up to 21 years in captivity
Number of offspring at one time: 2 to 3 cubs
Endangered or Not Endangered: The snow leopard is, unfortunately, endangered from habitat loss, retaliatory killings, poaching, and climate change
Fun Fact: Snow leopards have light green or gray eyes, which are unusual for big cats, who usually have yellow or gold eyes