Snow leopards are found in the western Himalayas and in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas.
It is found at elevations between 2,700 and 6,000 m. It is one of the most magnificent and striking animals in the Himalayan region. Its fur is whitish to grey with black spots on the head and body. Its tail is long and bushy and also very thick due to fat storage. It uses its tail for balance while leaping and stalking and also as a blanket to cover its face when sleeping.
Its paws are rounded and broad and have fur on the insides to increase grip. Its ears are small to minimize heat loss and its nostrils are large which allow it to inhale an increased volume of air and also to warm the cold air.
The snow leopard is a carnivore and its preferred prey is bharal or Himalayan blue sheep, tahr and wild goats. It is a solitary hunter and uses its powerful legs to leap and ambush its prey. It can jump as far as 50 feet! The snow leopard comes under the vulnerable category and there are only an estimated 4,080 to 6,590 left in the wild.
Picture Credit : Google
