One of the most beautiful big cats in the world, the snow leopard is also one of the most elusive. Few photos exist of this creature in the wild. It has a silvery and gold coat that blends in with rocks and snow in the high mountains where it lives; this helps it creep up on prey without them noticing. The snow leopard chases victims up and down the mountainsides, and its strong jaws-primed with huge canine teeth-seal their fate.
The High Life: This leopard lives in only one part of the world-the Himalayan Mountains in Asia. It likes the cold, so it stays high in the mountains. It never comes below 2,000 feet, and can live up as high up as 20,000 feet!
Breath In: The air is very thin at the altitudes where the snow leopard lives, not to mention frigid. This beast has enlarged nasal cavities to help it breathe deeply, and its fur is up to five inches thick on its belly to prevent it from freezing.
This Cat Blends In[]
Huge paws work like snow shoes, allowing the big cat to chase prey over snow.
When the snow leopard catches the scent of its prey, it goes into stalking mode. The predator crouches low to the ground to search for its potential victim then follows it silently, by stalking on the thick pads of its feet(which are good for walking on snow) This leopard likes to stay close to rocks as it moves in on prey because its grayish fur helps to camouflage its body from its target. When the leopard is close enough, it launches itself into a sprint and pounces on the victim's back, usually severing its spine with a single bite to the neck.
Roaming: Not many animals can survive the snow leopard's habitat, so it is difficult for this predator to find prey. The hunter may have to cover as many as 30 miles to find a meal.
Cave Cat: A day of chasing prey up and down the mountains can be tiring. As night falls, the leopard searches for a cave or a large rock crevice in its 40-square-mile territory where it can sleep in peace.
Family Meal[]
- Catching the scent of prey, a snow leopard crouches against the rocky mountainside. The big cat doesn't move a muscle as a markhor (a wild goat) wanders into view.
- The markhor unknowingly creeps closer to the leopard as it grazes. The moment it's in range, the leopard pounces and makes the kill with its powerful jaws.
- As the leopard begins to eat, his mate and cubs creep up to share the meal. After the male grabs a few big bites, he moves over to let the others in.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The card's front illustration is also used in the Wildlife Explorer series, for the Snow Leopard's profile. The main difference is the Wildlife Explorer version has rocky terrain beneath the leopard, hence the climbing position on the card.
- The illustrations for "Family Meal" are also shared, titled "Family Supper", with a fourth image of three snow leopards tearing into the markhor.
- A snow leopard photo is used on the back of the knowledge card for the Mngwa.
- The snow leopard is featured in Where In The World? on Monster Mania 81.