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.

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Leopard Mythology

5 facts about leopards and man

Secretive, Strong and Solitary

The most secretive and elusive of the large carnivores, the leopard is also the shrewdest. Pound for pound, it is the strongest climber of the large cats and capable of killing prey larger than itself.

Leopards are astoundingly strong. They are able to climb trees, even when carrying heavy prey, and often choose to rest on tree branches during the day. One reason why leopards sometimes take their prey up in the trees is to ensure lions or hyenas can’t steal them.

Leopards are predominantly solitary animals that have large territories. While male territories are larger than females and tend to overlap, individuals usually only tolerate intrusion into ranges for mating. 

Did you know:

They mark their ranges with urine and leave claw marks on trees to warn others to stay away.

The leopard in this post is named Shadow. The pictures were taken in Northern Sabi Sands between 2008 and 2009.

5 facts about Leopards and Man

George Schaller holding snow leopard cub. credit: D.DeMello©Wildlife Conservation Society

Did you know?

• Leopards have long been preyed upon by man. 

• Their soft, dense, beautiful fur has been used for ceremonial robes and coats. Different parts of the leopard the tail, claws and whiskers are popular as fetishes. 

• Leopards have a reputation as wanton killers, but research does not support the claim. 

• In some areas farmers try to exterminate them, while in others leopards are considered symbols of wisdom. 

• If captured, Leopards do well in captivity and some have lived as long as 21 years.

Leopard Mythology

Throughout history, in many countries throughout the world, leopards have featured in ancient myths, are depicted in artwork, folklore and are the subject of numerous stories. They are also now commonly used as an emblem in sports in much of Africa.

From their multicolored hides featuring as robes to their behaviors serving as the basis for symbolic tales, their mystery, mysticism and magic abounds.

In art and legend, beautiful courageous women are often symbolized by a black panther. (Blackness suggests the night, the feminine, primal darkness and the energies that emerge from the depths within.)

The Leopard has been used to represent the feminine in all its aspects: Virgin, mother, warrior, seducer, priestess and even: crone.

There is a link with powerful archetypal forces. Our  innate power and creative energy can be unleashed by aligning ourselves with the Leopard as a spirit guide.

Did you know?

The panther* is the symbol of Jesus Christ and Dionysis.

*(which commonly refers to a wide variety of large cats: cougar, jaguar, puma, mountain lion, and leopard - especially if the animal is dark)



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