10 facts on Snow Leopards

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Fact 1: 

They're up to 125 cm long

Snow leopards are between 86-125cm long - and that's not including the tail! They weigh between 22-52kg, but males will be around a third larger than females.

Fact 2: 

They have their own snow shoes.

Snow leopards have wide, fur-covered feet that act as natural snowshoes. These help to distribute their weight over soft snow and protect the soles from the freezing cold.

Fact 3: 

Snow leopards use their tails like scarves.

Snow leopard's tails are thought to help them balance, but they also wrap them around themselves to keep warm. Handy!

Fact 4: 

Snow leopards can't roar.

Unlike other big cats - like lions and tigers - snow leopards can't roar.

Fact 5: 

They can jump nine metros.

Some snow leopards have been known to leap up to nine metres - that's six times their body length.

Fact 6: 

Snow leopards are born in fur lined dens.

Snow leopards first reproduce at around two and a half years old. Usually two or three cubs are born in spring or early summer in a well-concealed den lined with the mother's fur.

Fact 7: 

Snow leopards are born blind.

Cubs are born blind and don't gain their sight until they're nine days old. They are fully active by two months old and stay with their mother until they're two years old. By this time they're fully independent.

Fact 8: 

Snow leopards live very high up in the mountains.

Snow leopards are sparsely distributed across 12 countries from southern Siberia to the Tibetan Plateau. 

Snow leopards live at high altitudes, usually at elevations of 3,000 to 4,500 metres - but they've been seen above 5,500 metres in the Himalayas!

Fact 9: 

They hunt animals three times their size.

Snow leopards can kill prey weighing as much as three times their own body weight. Snow leopards' main prey are the ibex, blue sheep and Himalayan tahr. One blue sheep will provide a snow leopard with food for one week.

Fact 10: 

Their tails are nearly as long as they are.

Snow leopard tails are between 80 to 105 centimetres long.