Flora and Fauna of the Himalayas

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3-7. Snow Leopard

9-10. Cicada

11. Cedar Tree

12-13. Paradise Flycatcher

14-17. Grey Langur

18-19. Porcupine

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Snow Leopards are elusive big cats. They’re mostly related to tigers. They are mostly found in the mountains of central Asia. Unlike other big cats, Snow Leopards can’t roar! Did you know the proper name for a Snow leopard is Panthera Uncia? They’re also called ‘Ghost of the mountain’ because there is only 4,000-6,500 left in the wild. 

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Snow leopards have several adaptions to survive in extreme cold weather. Snow leopards have cryptic, spotted patterns on their furry coat. Their thick fur insulates their body in a variety of different temperatures. Did you know the fur on a Snow Leopards stomach is 5 inches? Snow Leopards ears (short and rounded) prevent heat loss! Are you aware that Snow Leopards large paws act like natural snow boots? They use their tail to keep themselves warm, like a scarf. In fact, their tails are so long, it’s nearly the size of the Snow leopard’s whole body! An average Snow Leopards body length is 48-56 inches. 

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The snow leopard’s most common, regular meal is Blue sheep, Ibex and smaller snacks such as Pika, birds and rats. As a result of farmers taking the snow leopards’ land, they eat farm animals such as goat, sheep and yak. Snow leopards can even hunt animals 3 times their own weight!

Would you believe that adult Snow Leopards need 2.5 kg of meat every day? Snow leopards are apex predators- which means they can’t get preyed on, they can only prey on other animals. They’re crepuscular, which means they are most active in the twilight hours.

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A baby snow leopard is called a cub. Cubs are born in spring or early summer. However, they stay with their mothers for a year until they are at a suitable age when they can look after themselves. Female snow leopards can give birth to up to four cubs at a time!

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Snow leopards are normally found in the rugged mountains of central Asia. They are sparsely distributed across Southern Siberia, Tibetan, Plateau, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, India, Mongolia, Russia and Nepal. The only greenery there is grass and small shrubs.

Cliffs, rocky outcrops and ravines are what snow leopards prefer so that they have a better view to catch prey. Would you believe that 60% of the snow leopard’s habitat is in China?

One of the threats towards snow leopards is that farmers are extending their farm land, taking up the snow leopard’s habitat. Therefore, snow leopards eat the farm animals; then the farmer will kill the snow leopard. Of course, there are also poachers. They sell the snow leopards’ bones and fur for money. They use their fur to make rugs and they use their bones for a traditional medicine. The snow leopard’s habitat is hard to reach; it is hard to protect them from poachers. Although it is illegal to hunt snow leopards, poachers want the money.

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