snow leopards - biology & behavoir
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.
Snow leopards are crepuscular being most active at dawn and dusk.
hunting & diet
Snow leopards are carnivores and actively hunt their prey, but like all cats are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever meat it 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.
The diet of the snow leopard varies across their range and is dependant on prey availability. In the Himalayas it eats mostly bharals
(Himalayan blue sheep) but in other mountain ranges such as the Karakorum, Tian Shan, and Altai, its main prey consists of ibexes and
argali, a type of wild sheep. Other large animals eaten include various types of wild goats and sheep such as markhors and urials, deer,
and boars. Smaller prey consists of marmots, woolly hares, various rodents, and birds such as the snow cock and chukar.
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.
Snow leopards prefer to ambush prey from above and can leap as far as 14 meters (46 ft).
reproduction
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.
Snow leopards normally live for 15 - 18 years, but may live for up to 20 years in captivity.
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