Snow leopards are shy, elusive cats known for their solitary nature. These cats are most active at dawn and dusk, which is called a “crepuscular activity pattern” by scientists. Snow leopards regularly patrol home ranges that can cover hundreds of square kilometers.
Snow leopards make sounds similar to those made by other large cats, including a purr, mew, hiss, growl, moan, and yowl.
Snow leopards live in high-altitude mountainous terrain, usually at elevations of 3,000-4,500m. They prefer steep, broken landscapes such as cliffs, rocky outcrops and ravines. Snow leopards have short forelimbs and long hind legs, which allow them to traverse and stay agile in their steep and rugged environments.
Snow leopards have powerful legs and are tremendous jumpers, able to leap as far as 50 feet. The snow leopard’s powerful build allows it to scale great steep slopes with ease. Its hind legs give the snow leopard the ability to leap six times the length of its body.
It is estimated that there are 4,500 to 7,500 snow leopards living in the mountains of central Asia. It is believed that 60% of the entire population of snow leopards live in China. The number of snow leopards still alive is fast declining because of habitat loss, poaching (for their fur and bones), and "retaliatory" killings, which is when farmers kill wild animals who attack their livestock.
Snow leopard
