The Snow Panther: A Very Elusive Feline
The snow panther is an almost unknown feline: it has such an extreme habitat and it camouflages itself so well that it is very difficult to study. To discover what we know about this animal, we invite you to continue reading.
Characteristics of the snow panther
Although until recently it was thought to be a leopard due to its coat color, recent DNA studies have shown that it is actually more closely related to panthers. It is smaller in size than these big cats: it measures about 56 centimeters to the withers and up to 150 centimeters long, not counting the tail.
Also, therefore, they are less heavy: adult specimens usually weigh between 25 and 50 kilograms, although at specific times males so large that they reached 75 kilos have been discovered; In extreme conditions, females weighing just 22 kilograms have been discovered.
In terms of physical appearance, the snow panther is gray with black spots on the body, head and neck ; the markings on the back and on the tail are larger than those on the rest of the body. Compared to other cats, the tail is extraordinarily thick, as it uses it to keep itself warm at night.
It is easy to see, physically, that part of its physical attributes are adapted to the extreme habitat in which it lives: in addition to the thick tail and the colors that allow it to camouflage itself in the rocks and snow, its hair is much denser and longer than that of other felines, and their huge legs are covered with fur to protect them from the cold and avoid slipping.
Unlike desert animals, which need to dissipate heat, the snow panther has small ears to avoid losing body temperature from them. In addition, it uses its tail as a fat deposit to always have energy available.
One of the most striking characteristics of this feline is that it does not roar, despite the fact that, in theory, it has a throat that would allow it. Instead, it can meow, snort, and make a sound that is the equivalent of purring but in panthers: the prusten.
Feeding of the snow panther
The snow panther is a carnivorous feline and an active hunter: that is, it hunts its prey itself, although it is possible that if it comes across the remains of another hunter, it will not waste them.
The hunting ritual of the snow panther is spectacular: it usually ambushes its prey from above. That is, it camouflages itself on a rock ledge and waits for its prey to pass underneath. Then he jumps on top of them and chases them down the slopes and jumps on the rock until he is able to catch them.
This animal is very strong and brave: it tends to hunt large prey, such as horses, cows, sheep and even camels. With this class of prey you can go up to two weeks without having to hunt again. It can also feed on small mammals, but it tends to prefer prey weighing more than 40 kilograms.
Habitat of the snow panther
The snow panther ranges across central Asia: they have been seen in China, Bhutan, Nepal, northern India, Pakistan, Russia, and Mongolia; In all these territories it can be seen that there are mountainous areas and many belong to the Himalayas.
This animal lives between 2,000 and 4,000 meters in height, although at certain times they have been observed at 6,000 meters in the Himalayas. Since the terrain is steep and they live at a high altitude, they rarely meet humans and it is very difficult to locate them to study them.
Therefore, little is really known about this animal. The total figures for its population are unknown, although it is estimated that there are less than 5,000 specimens: it is classified as an endangered animal. Regarding their physical attributes and habits, the specimens in captivity have been studied because they are very difficult to locate.
The snow panther, also known as the snow leopard, is a unique feline. One of its great characteristics is its thick tail, as well as its legs that are wider than usual. It lives in the mountain ranges of central Asia and is classified as an endangered species: its greatest threat is climate change and the destruction of its habitat.
