The beautiful Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) lives in 12 countries that reach across the mountains of Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Of the estimated 4500 - 7000 Snow Leopards found in the world, more than 60% is to be found in China. Mongolia has the second largest population of these elusive big cats. Mongolia issued a series of stamps celebrating the Snow Leopard in 1985.
Adult Snow Leopards grow to around 2m in length, including its long, fluffy tail and just under 1m in height at the shoulder. They weigh between 23 - 41kg and live in very cold, snowy and rocky mountainous terrain, in elevations of 1800 - 2500m.
Snow leopards have the densest and longest fur of all the big cats. Their long tails store a hearty layer of fat, and help in maintaining their balance when walking or climbing along the edges of rock faces. The dense fur on these tails also help the cats to keep their faces warm when bedding down.
Similar to their more colourful Leopard cousins, the Snow Leopard too is also a solitary animal who only gets together with another during the mating season. Adult females give birth to 2 - 4 cubs, and take care of them for almost 2 years, at which time, they part ways forever. In the wild, they live for up to 18 years, and significantly longer when in captivity.
These elusive cats have been listed on the IUCN red list as "vulnerable". Along with the loss of its natural habitat, they are often found to attack livestock such as Sheep and Yak, many Snow Leopards end up being the victims of the herdsman's spear. They are also poached for their skins and for their body parts which are used in various countries for supposed medicinal purposes.
However, all countries in which the Snow Leopard lives have granted them the highest levels of security from poaching and killing. Regardless, Human/Leopard conflict remains rampant, and the species is still not out of the woods from its endangered status.
** All stamps and photographs used in this post are part of this author's personal collection.
https://panthera.org/cat/snow-leopard
https://www.britannica.com/animal/snow-leopard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_leopard
https://ptes.org/grants/worldwide-projects/snow-leopards-mongolia/#:~:text=Mongolia%20is%20home%20to%20the,becoming%20increasingly%20shared%20with%20humans.
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/facts-about-snow-leopards/
