Snow Leopard News

Snow Leopard Latest News

A group of tourists on a road trip through Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley had a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with one of nature’s most elusive predators, a snow leopard.

About Snow Leopard

• It is a medium-sized big cat that resides in the rugged terrains of Central and South Asia. 
• Scientific Name: Panthera uncia
• Despite a range of over 2 million sq.km., scientists estimate that there may only be between 3,920 and 6,390 snow leopards left in the wild.
• Very rarely seen by humans, it has come to be known as the ‘ghost of the mountains’. 

Snow Leopard Distribution

• The snow leopard inhabits the mountains of central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, ranging from an elevation of about 1,800 metres (about 6,000 feet) in the winter to about 5,500 metres (18,000 feet) in the summer.
• They are found in 12 countries, including China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Russia, and Mongolia.
• In India, they can be largely found in the high-altitude cold, arid, and rugged terrains of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Snow Leopard Features

• The snow leopard’s pale grey fur is marked with dark rosettes, serving as camouflage against rocky terrains. 
• The undercoat is dense and insulating, while the outer layer of fur, about 2 cm long, protects it from harsh winds.
• The snow leopard reaches a length of about 7 feet (2.1 meters). Almost half of that length is the tail. 
• The tail helps to provide balance when the cat climbs in mountainous terrain and warmth when the cat sleeps. 
• The adult snow leopard stands about 2 feet (0.6 meter) high at the shoulder and weighs 60–120 pounds (27–54 kilograms). Males are typically larger than females.
• The snow leopard is solitary and lives alone except when mating or raising offspring. 

Snow Leopard Conservation status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I 
• Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972:Schedule I

Snow Leopard FAQs

Q1. What is the scientific name of the snow leopard?

Ans. Panthera uncia

Q2. Why is the snow leopard often referred to as the “ghost of the mountains”?

Ans. Because it is rarely seen by humans.

Q3. Is the snow leopard endangered?

Ans. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Source. HT