snow leopard

Snow Leopard
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Subfamily: Pantherinae Genus: Uncia Gray, 1854 Species: U. uncia
Binomial name
Uncia uncia (Schreber, 1775)
Range map
Synonyms
Uncia uncia (Schreber, 1775).[1] P. u. baikalensis-romanii (Medvedev, 2000) P. u. irbis (Ehrenberg, 1830) P. u. schneideri (Zukowsky, 1950) P. u. uncioides (Horsfield, 1855)

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia or Uncia uncia), sometimes known as "ounce," is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia. The classification of this species has been subject to change and its exact taxonomic position will not be resolved until further studies are conducted.

It cannot roar, despite possessing an incomplete ossification of the hyoid bone. The presence of this ossification was previously thought to be essential for allowing the big cats to roar. However, new studies show that the ability to roar is due to other morphological features, especially of the larynx, which are absent in the snow leopard.^[2][3]

Description

Snow leopards are smaller than the other big cats but like them, exhibit a range of sizes, generally weighing between 27 and 54 kg (60–120 lb). Body length ranges from 74–130 cm (29–51 in) with a tail of nearly the same length.^[4]

Snow leopards have long thick fur, the base colour of which varies from smoky grey to yellowish tan, with whitish underparts. They have dark grey to black open rosettes on their body with small spots of the same colour on their heads and larger spots on their legs and tail.^[4]

Snow leopards show several adaptations for living in a cold mountainous environment. Their bodies are stocky, their fur is thick, and their ears are small and rounded, all of which help to minimise heat-loss. Their feet are wide, which distributes their weight better for walking on snow, and they have fur on their undersides to increase their traction on steep and unstable surfaces, as well as to assist with minimising heat-loss. Snow leopards' tails are long and flexible which help them to maintain their balance. The tails are also especially thickly covered with fur which, apart from minimising heat-loss, allows them to be used like a blanket to protect their faces when asleep.^[4][5]

Taxonomy

In the past, many taxonomists included the snow leopard in the genus Panthera, with several of the other largest felids, but later it was placed in its own genus, Uncia. It was thought to be not closely related to the leopard (Panthera pardus). However, a recent molecular study places the species firmly within the genus Panthera, its closest relative being the tiger (Panthera tigris), although its exact position remains unclear.^[6]

A few subspecies have been proposed for animals living in different geographical regions and these are listed under synonyms in the taxobox at right. With the possible exception of P. u. baikalensis-romanii which requires further evaluation, these subspecies were generally not considered valid.^[7] However, the Handbook of the Mammals of the World recognizes two subspecies: P. u. uncia, from central Asia northwestwards to Mongolia and Rusia; and P. u. uncioides in western China and the Himalayas.^[8]

Distribution

The snow leopard's range in central and south Asia is rugged mountainous regions of approximately 1,230,000 square kilometers, which extends through 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The geographic distribution from the Hindukush in eastern Afghanistan and the Syr Darya through the mountains of Pamir Mountains, Tian Shan, Karakorum, Kashmir, Kunlun, and the Himalaya to southern Siberia, where the range covers the Russian Altai mountains, Sajan, Tannu-Ola mountains and the mountains to the west of Lake Baikal. In Mongolia it is found in the Mongolian and Gobi Altai and the Khangai Mountains. In Tibet it is found up to the Altyn-Tagh in the North.^[9]

Ecology and Behaviour

In summer, the snow leopard usually lives above the tree line on mountainous meadows and in rocky regions at an altitude of 2,700 m (8,900 ft) to 6,000 m (20,000 ft). In winter, it comes down into the forests to an altitude of around 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It leads largely a solitary life, although mothers may rear cubs for extended periods of time in dens in the mountains.

An individual snow leopard lives within a well defined home range but does not defend its territory aggressively when encroached upon by other snow leopards. Home ranges vary greatly in size. In Nepal, where prey is abundant, a home range may be as small as 12 km² (5 sq mi) to 39 km² (15 sq mi) and up to 5 to 10 animals are found here per 100 km² (39 sq mi); whereas, in habitats with sparse prey, an area of 1,000 km² (386 sq mi) supports only 5 of these cats.^[2]

Snow leopards are crepuscular being most active at dawn and dusk.^[4]

Feeding

Snow leopards are carnivores and actively hunt their prey. However, like all cats, they are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever meat they can find including carrion and domestic livestock. They are capable of killing animals three times their size but will readily take much smaller prey such as hares and birds.^[5]

The diet of the snow leopard varies across their range and with the time of year, and is dependent on prey availability. In the Himalayas it preys mostly on bharals (Himalayan blue sheep) but in other mountain ranges such as the Karakorum, Tian Shan, and Altai, its main prey consists of Siberian ibex and argali, a type of wild sheep, although this has become rarer in some parts of the snow leopard's range.^[4][10] Other large animals eaten include various types of wild goats and sheep (such as markhors and urials), other goat-like ruminants such as Himalayan tahr and gorals, plus deer, boars, and langur monkeys. Smaller prey consists of marmots, woolly hares, pikas, various rodents , and birds such as the snow cock and chukar.^{[4][5][10][11]}

It is not averse to taking domestic livestock which brings it into direct conflict with humans. Herders will kill snow leopards to prevent them from taking their animals.^[5]

Snow leopards prefer to ambush prey from above and can leap as far as 14 meters (46 ft).^[12]

Breeding and life cycle

Snow leopards usually mate in late winter and have a gestation period of 90–100 days. Litter sizes vary from one to five cubs but two or three is more usual. The cubs remain with their mother until they become independent after around 18–22 months.^[4]

Snow leopards normally live for 15–18 years, but may live for up to 20 years in captivity.

Population and conservation

Snow leopard at zoo d'Amnéville, France showing the thickly furred tail

Snow leopard

The total wild population of the snow leopard was estimated at between 4,100 and 6,600 individuals by McCarthy et al 2003 (see table below). Many of these estimates are rough and outdated.^[1]

In 1972 the International Union for Conservation of Nature, (IUCN) placed the snow leopard on its Red List of Threatened Species as globally "Endangered"; the same threat category was applied in the assessment conducted in 2008.

There are also 600-700 snow leopards in zoos around the world.^[13]

Snow leopard in the San Diego Zoo.

Protected Areas:

• Chitral Gol National Park, in the NWFP, Pakistan.
• Hemis National Park, in east Ladakh, India.
• Khunjerab National Park, Northern Areas, Pakistan.
• Nanda Devi National Park, in state of Uttarakhand, India, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.^[14]
• Qomolangma National Nature Preserve, Tibet, China.^[15]
• Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.^[16]
• Tumor Feng Nature Reserve, western Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China.^[17]
• Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttaranchal, India, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.
• Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Dolpa, Nepal.
• Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve,Baglung, Nepal.
• Annapurna Conservation Area, Western Nepal.
• Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan
• Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, Mongolia
• Ubsunur Hollow, on the territorial border of Mongolia and the Republic of Tuva

Much progress has been made in securing the survival of the snow leopard, with snow leopards being successfully bred in captivity. The animals usually give birth to 2 to 3 cubs in a litter, but can give birth to up to 7 in some cases.

Snow leopard at Toronto zoo.

Conservation efforts

There are numerous agencies working to conserve the snow leopard and its threatened mountain ecosystems. These include the Snow Leopard Trust, the Snow Leopard Conservancy and the Snow Leopard Network. These groups and numerous national governments from the snow leopard's range, non-profits and donors from around the world recently worked together at the 10th International Snow Leopard Conference in Beijing. Their focus on research, community programs in snow leopard regions and education programs are aimed at understanding the cat's needs as well as the needs of the villagers and herder communities impacting snow leopards' lives and habitat.^[18][19]

Snow leopard in heraldry

The snow leopard (almost invariably known in heraldry as the ounce) (Aq Bars) is a national symbol for Tatars and Kazakhs: a snow leopard is found on the official seal of the city of Almaty, and a winged snow leopard is found on Tatarstan's coat of arms. A similar leopard is featured at the coat of arms of North Ossetia-Alania. The snow leopard award was given to Soviet mountaineers who scaled all five of the Soviet Union's 7000m peaks. In addition, the snow leopard is the symbol of the Girl Scout Association of Kyrgyzstan.

Snow leopard on the reverse of the old 10000 tenge (Kazakhstan) banknote.

Aq Bars is the coat of arms of Tatarstan. It is an ancient Turkic and Bolgar symbol translated as "white leopard" or "snow leopard".

Snow leopard as a symbol of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Snow leopard as a symbol (old coat of arms) of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Snow leopard as a symbol of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Uncia uncia

Wikispecies has information related to: Uncia uncia

• Snow leopard photo gallery at National Geographic
• ARKive - images and movies of the Snow leopard (Uncia uncia)
• PBS Nature: Silent Roar: Searching for the Snow Leopard
• Snow Leopard Network
• Snow Leopard Trust
• Snow Leopard Conservancy (detailed range map)
• Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN)