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g Cat ConservationSNOW LEOPARDS (Uncia uncia)’s Actions Affect Tomorrow’s WorldDescriptionWritten by Liz Bellward, Founder & Managing Director ofKarma Cats Ltd. ABN: 60 141 655 254404 222 991 Email: info@karmacats.org.au Web: www..karmacats.org.auDistributione-book may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without prior written permissionrt from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research or as permitted under the Copyright ActUncia uncia uncia - Asia, Mongolia, RussiaUncia uncia uncioides - China, HimalayasNative: Central Asia - Afghanistan; Bhutan; China (Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibet [or Xizang], Xinjiang,);India (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Sikkim, Uttaranchal); Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Mongolia; Nepal;Pakistan; Russian Federation; Tajikistan; UzbekistanRegionally Extinct: Yunnan (in China)Presence Uncertain; Nei Mongol (in China)Population Wild 3,500 - 5,000Captivity 600StatusEndangeredPhysicalDescription• Snow leopards are a medium sized stocky cat with a very long bushy tail and huge front paws• Pale green or grey eyes, short rounded ears and smoky grey fur with dark rosettes• Each snow leopard’s coat patterns are unique like our fingerprints• In winter, their fur can grow to over 5 cms in length on their back and sides, and up to 12 cms on theirstomach• A very agile cat with their long tail and muscular legs allowing them to jump up to 6mSize Head and body length: 90cm - 1.2mTail length:80cm - 1mWeight:35 - 55 kgsLife Span Wild: 15 - 18 yearsCaptivity: Up to 21 yearsBreeding Gestation: 94 - 103 days (3 - 3.5 months)Sexual maturity: 2 - 3 years of age but generally do not reproduce until 4 years oldOestrus: 5 -12 daysMating: Occurs in late winter (January - March)Lasts 3 - 6 days, 12 - 36 matings a day, each mating lasts approx 15 - 45secMale holds the female by the back of the neck giving a loud yowl when completedBirth:Cubs born in spring (May - June)Cubs: 1 - 5 per litter (average 2.2)320 - 560 grams at birthCubs born blind but open their eyes around 7 daysDependant: Dependant on Mum until at least 18 months old• The snow leopard is different to other cat species in that it has a pronounced seasonal birth peakwhich is probably due to the harsh winters they experience in their natural habitat• Also unusual to most cats, if their litter dies, the females will rarely come back into oestrus andre-mate until the following season• Females give birth in rocky dens that they have lined with their thick, soft fur© Karma Cats 2010.Today’s actions affect tomorrow’s worldwww.karmacats.org.au

g Cat ConservationSNOW LEOPARDS (Uncia uncia)’s Actions Affect Tomorrow’s WorldDiet Karma & Cats Hunting Ltd. ABN: 60 141 655 254 • Snow leopards’ main prey consists of bharal (blue sheep), ibex (wild goat) and argali (wild sheep) butthey will eat prey as small as marmots, hares and birds such as the snow cock• Will hunt domestic livestock such as sheep, goats and cows• Will eat carrion (dead and rotting carcass of an animal)• Uses rocks, ledges, crevices etc. for cover to get close enough to ambush prey• Often drops on prey from a ledge above• Chase of prey may last up to 200 - 300m• Ambush predator that kills with a bite to the back of the neck or throat• May move kill to an area away from scavengers• Will eat from one carcass for a few days if large enough• Captive snow leopards eat approximately 1.5kgs of meat per dayHabitat • High mountainous regions of central Asia• Rocky areas at altitudes of 1,200m - 6,000m• Snow capped mountains• Rock specialists – rocks, ravines, cliffs• Snow leopards have evolved physically to adapt to these mountainous conditions;• Large paws for walking on snow• Long, thick, bushy tail for balance and to wrap around their body and face in the snow• Long back legs for jumping• Long fur with woolen undercoat to keep them warm• Enlarged nasal passages and well developed chest to cope with the cold and altitudeWritten by Liz Bellward, Founder & Managing Director of404 222 991 Email: info@karmacats.org.au Web: www..karmacats.org.aue-book may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without prior written permissionrt from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research or as permitted under the Copyright ActSocial System& Territories• Solitary animals that only come together to breed, or a mother with cubs• Range sizes vary depending on prey density (20km 2 to 100km 2 )• Scent mark their territories with cheek rubbing, faeces, scrapes, urine and spray (urine with scentgland secretions which is sprayed on rocks, trees, bushes)• Flehmen - allows olfactory & chemical clues to pass over naso-vomeral organ positioned in the roofof the mouth• Most active dawn and dusk• Can not purr and is the only big cat that can not give a full deep roar (can only cough-roar)• Can spit, hiss, growl, mew, yowl and prusten (chuff)• Snow leopards are one of the least aggressive of the big catsThreats • Loss of natural prey – competition with local people• Local farmers kill snow leopards as they often hunt their livestock• Poaching for bones and body parts for traditional Asian medicines• Poaching for pelts• Global warming is changing their habitat and prey location• Humans and wolves are their main competitors• Full CITES protection (Appendix I)© Karma Cats 2010.Today’s actions affect tomorrow’s worldwww.karmacats.org.au