Celebrate Snow Leopard Day.
Declared October 22, 2020, but they need support year around.
cool info about the elusive, beautiful snow leopard
Snow leopards in the wild is estimated between 4,080-6,590. They’re considered ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Zoos around the world have 600 in captivity.
Snow leopards prowl around in Asia’s north and central mountains: China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Russia, and Mongolia. In the Himalayas, they live above the tree line, up to 18,000 feet!
They have thick grey and yellowish fur, with spots on their head, neck, legs and tail.
Rosettes cover the rest of their body. Scientists identify individual snow leopards by their distinctive rosettes (a small spot with a ring around it).
Their front legs are shorter than the hind ones, enabling them to leap 50 feet long. Their paws are large and furry, and function like snowshoes.
Snow leopards usually have two or three cubs, but litters can be one to five. The cubs are born blind, and with thick coats. They open their eyes within seven days, but depend on their mother for at least a year.
Snow leopards, like many wild cats in the world, are endangered by various human activity.
”Hunting, habitat loss, retaliatory killings as a result of human-wildlife conflict, poaching and climate change are the biggest threats that snow leopards face. Snow leopard habitat range continues to decline from human settlement and increased use of grazing space.”
World Wildlife Fund
Celebrate Snow Leopard Day.
We cat lovers can help snow leopards NOW!
Please read saveourspecies.org to get more information about snow leopards, and how to help.
Also, WWF adopt a snow leopard and snowleopard.org.
donations make great holiday gifts.
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