Scientists estimate that between 3,920 and 6,390 snow leopards remain in the wild. While these beautiful creatures are famous for their striking fur and elusive temperament, they're rarely seen and prefer to spend the majority of their life alone.
Still, there is much to learn about these amazing creatures. For example, did you know that the snow leopard's main prey is blue sheep––which aren't really blue? Or that these gentle creatures are non-aggressive toward humans? Find a host of fascinating facts about these big cats as you continue reading.
1. Snow Leopards Have Adapted to High Altitudes
Snow leopards live in mountainous areas at altitudes of 3,000 to 4,500 meters (9,842 to 14,763 feet) and like to spend their time on steep terrains, such as rocky outcrops, cliffs, and ravines. One study by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) found that these incredible creatures live at the highest altitudes recorded for big cats––a remarkable 5,859 meters (19,226 feet) above sea level.
To stay agile in these rugged environments, the snow leopard has long hind legs but short forelimbs, which help them to navigate steep land. In addition, their long tails (which grow up to three feet long) aid in balance and help them stay warm.
2. Snow Leopards Have Light-Colored Eyes
Look at a picture of a snow leopard, and you'll see that they possess striking blue eyes - or sometimes green or grey. These colors are very different from other big cats (such as the now-extinct Barbary lion) that have yellow or orange eyes, and experts think they could be another way for the snow leopard to blend into its background.
3. These Cats Possess Great Strength
Snow leopards are smaller than other members of the big cat family, measuring around 91-151 cm in length and reaching heights of about two feet. For reference, when side-by-side against a large dog (like a Great Dane), snow leopards are relatively small. Still, don't underestimate them; these cats are stocky and muscular with strong limbs that make them perfect hunters.
4. They Have an Eerie Nickname
The endangered snow leopard is often referred to as the "ghost of the mountains" because of its elusive nature and spotted coat, which provides perfect camouflage. The snow leopard is one of many animals native to Asia, covering:
- China
- Nepal
- India
- Mongolia
- Russia
- Afghanistan
- Bhutan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Pakistan
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
Still, human sightings are extremely rare, so scientists use high-tech tools to secretly film and learn about these cats.
The term "ghost" may also come from the fact that the coloring of a snow leopard makes it look like a ghostly version of a regular leopard. But interestingly, genetic tests suggest that these creatures are more closely related to the tiger than the leopard.
5. They Can't Roar
Big cats are famous for their mighty roar, which they create by stretching and flexing a particular ligament within their vocal cords. Snow leopards also have this ligament, but they do not have the layer of fatty tissue required to manipulate it to make a roaring sound. Instead, they have underdeveloped vocal cords, which are more similar to exotic domestic cat breeds. So, they can still hiss at you.
6. Snow Leopards Are Successful Hunters
Snow leopards are among the world’s deadliest hunters and will eat whatever is available. Still, they prefer to hunt large herbivores such as ibexes and mountain sheep. And the snow leopard can capture prey three times as heavy as themselves. They will eat smaller animals, such as rabbits or voles, when supplies are scarce, making them the only big cat to adapt their diet depending on the available food.
The powerful legs of these apex predators allow them to leap incredible distances. Combine these skills with speed and agility, and you can see why the snow leopard is a successful hunter. As solitary hunters, they hunt alone for the majority of the time in hunting ranges that vary from 20 to 400 square miles depending on the abundance of food.
7. Snow Leopards Are Non-Aggressive
We've already learned that snow leopards are ferocious hunters, but it may surprise you to learn that they are mostly non-aggressive animals. This is because they won't fight over prey and would rather back away from a fellow predator than challenge it to a fight. And the same applies to humans; these beautiful big cats would rather run away than attack. If humans are close by, these animals can even become nocturnal (they are crepuscular by nature) to avoid close encounters with our species.
The only time when snow leopards will demonstrate aggressive behavior is when they are defending their cubs or territory.
8. Snow Leopard Day Is a Holiday!
Snow leopards celebrate their own international day on the 23rd of October each year. During this time, the WWF and other worldwide animal charities help to raise awareness of the snow leopard and educate the general public about how we can protect wildlife.
Still, you can show your support all year round via the WWF website, where you can learn more about safeguarding their future, “adopt” a snow leopard, or purchase a badge to show your support. You can also help this endangered creature by supporting the Snow Leopard Trust.
