<< Snow Leopard (2004-2010)

Panthera unica

The Snow Leopard is distinctive in the shortness of its muzzle, its high forehead and vertical chin. The ground colour of its coat is soft grey paling to pure white underside. Newly born cubs are darker then adults.

In India Snow leopards are found along the whole Himalayan chain from Kashmir to Bhutan. North wards their territory intends into Tibet, Central Asia and the Altais.

Its home is the higher altitude of the Himalayas in this region of stupendous rock and cliff above the tree-line, some 12000-13000 ft. (3660-3965m.).

Lying up by day, Snow Leopards hunt at night, preying on wild sheep and goats or musk deer, hares, marmots and other rodents, perhaps also on the larger birds.

At the onset of winter, Snow Leopards follow the general downward migration of animals to altitude as low as 6000 ft. (1830 m).