Snow Leopard Facts for Kids

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  • Scientific name for a snow leopard is unica unica.
  • A male snow leopard is called a leopard.
  • A female is called a leopardess.
  • A baby is called a cub.
  • Snow Leopards like steep, rocky terrain.
  • Snow Leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia including the Himalayan Mountains in the countries of Nepal, India, Pakistan, Mongolia, China Afghanistan and Russia.
  • In the Summer months snow leopards will stay high up in the mountains, in the Winter months they will come down from the mountains and enter forests.
  • Snow Leopards are an endangered species.
  • Snow Leopards are mammals.
  • Snow Leopards are carnivores meaning they eat meat.
  • They will hunt prey up to three times the size of their own body weight.
  • Snow Leopards like to eat blue sheep and mountain ibex.  They will also eat wild sheep and goats, birds and other small animals.
  • Snow Leopards vary in color from cream to a pale yellow, light tan or light grey color.
  • Snow Leopards have rosettes. Rosettes are rose-like shaped spots.
  • Their rosettes range in color from dark grey to black.
  • A snow leopards rosettes are smaller on their head, legs and tail and larger on their body.
  • Like humans no two snow leopards have the same rosettes pattern.
  • Snow Leopards weight between 60-120 pounds.
  • They have thick fur to keep them warm in their cold climate.
  • Snow Leopards have pale green or grey eyes.
  • They are about 2 feet tall from paw to shoulder.
  • Snow Leopards are 3 feet-4.5 feet long not including their tail.
  • Their tails are 2.5 feet to 3.5 feet long.
  • A snow leopards tail is long, thick and flexible to help them keep balance.
  • Their tails also stores fat to keep them warm.
  • When snow leopards are sleeping they wrap their tails around their bodies like a blanket.
  • Snow Leopards can jump up to 50 ft.
  • They can run at speeds between 40-50 miles per hour but only for a short distance.
  • Snow Leopards a solitary animals meaning they like to live alone.
  • Snow Leopards cannot roar but they make other sounds such as growling, chuffing, hissing and meowing.
  • Snow Leopards use urine to mark their territory and to attract mates.
  • A mother snow leopard gives birth to 2-3 cubs.
  • Cubs are born helpless and blind.
  • They begin to see after 7 days.
  • Cubs live with their mothers for up to two years before going off to live alone.
  • Humans are the major threat to the snow leopard species.
  • Poachers (illegal hunters) kill snow leopards for their thick fur and bones used in some cultural medicines.
  • Loss of habitat also contributes to the decline in snow leopard populations.