Snow Leopard
Snow Leopards
Many species have become extinct. Just as alarming is the ever increasing number of species that are not only becoming endangered but critically endangered. The course which this research paper has been written for is extensive. It is not possible to cover everything in one research paper. With this in mind, this paper will be restricted to the morphology, distribution, population, habitat and ecology, and behaviour of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia).
Snow leopard, a medium to large sized carnivore panthera, lives in high-altitude regions in Central Asia (Sunquist& Sunquist, 2002). The snow leopard typical weight ranges from 27 and 54 kilograms. The body length of the panthera species in question can measure anything from 74 – 130 centimetres; however, this measurement does not include the animal’s tail. The tail can actually be just as long as the body length. The long thick fur varies in colour between smoky grey to a yellowish tan with a white belly. In addition, the snow leopard typically has grey to black open patterns reminiscent of rosettes on their body. There are also small spots of the same colour not only on their heads but on their legs and tail as well. The spots on the legs and tail are typically larger than that which is seen on their heads.
The snow leopards, well adapted for mountain life, have chest and short forelimbs with large paws capable of handling the terrain the species is found dwelling in. The aforementioned paws have a fur underside. This underside of fur increases traction on steep surfaces. The animal’s hind legs are long. The longer hind legs, coupled with having a long flexible, increase are perfect for leaping and sustained balance on unstable surfaces.
The conditions in the habitat where snow leopards are typically found are less than ideal; however, the animal is equally well protected from climatic conditions by having a stocky body with small, rounded ears and an enlarged nasal cavity. As
Many species have become extinct. Just as alarming is the ever increasing number of species that are not only becoming endangered but critically endangered. The course which this research paper has been written for is extensive. It is not possible to cover everything in one research paper. With this in mind, this paper will be restricted to the morphology, distribution, population, habitat and ecology, and behaviour of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia).
Snow leopard, a medium to large sized carnivore panthera, lives in high-altitude regions in Central Asia (Sunquist& Sunquist, 2002). The snow leopard typical weight ranges from 27 and 54 kilograms. The body length of the panthera species in question can measure anything from 74 – 130 centimetres; however, this measurement does not include the animal’s tail. The tail can actually be just as long as the body length. The long thick fur varies in colour between smoky grey to a yellowish tan with a white belly. In addition, the snow leopard typically has grey to black open patterns reminiscent of rosettes on their body. There are also small spots of the same colour not only on their heads but on their legs and tail as well. The spots on the legs and tail are typically larger than that which is seen on their heads.
The snow leopards, well adapted for mountain life, have chest and short forelimbs with large paws capable of handling the terrain the species is found dwelling in. The aforementioned paws have a fur underside. This underside of fur increases traction on steep surfaces. The animal’s hind legs are long. The longer hind legs, coupled with having a long flexible, increase are perfect for leaping and sustained balance on unstable surfaces.
The conditions in the habitat where snow leopards are typically found are less than ideal; however, the animal is equally well protected from climatic conditions by having a stocky body with small, rounded ears and an enlarged nasal cavity. As
References: Anwar M, Jackson R, Nadeem M, Janecka J, Hussain S, (2011) Food habits of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in Baltistan, Northern Pakistan. Eur J Wildlife Res, 57, pp.1077–083. Blomqvist, L. & Zoo, H. (2008). The Captive Snow Leopard in 2001, International Pedigree Book for Snow leopards, 9, pp.1-25. Blomqvist, L. and Sten, I. (1982). Reproductive Biology of the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia). International Pedigree Book for Snow leopards, 3, pp.71-79. Feng, X., Ming M., Yang, M., Blank, D., Yiqun, W., McCarthy, T. & Munkhtsog, B. (2012) Winter habitat use of snow leopards in Tomur National Nature Reserve of Xinjiang, Northwest China. Journal of Arid Land, 4(2), pp.191−195. Helman, R, Russell, W, Jenny, A, Miller, J, & Payeur, J (1998). Diagnosis of tuberculosis in two snow leopards using polymerase chain reaction, Journal Of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 10, 1, pp.89-92. Herrin, K., Allan, G., Black, A., Aliah, R., & Howlett, C. (2012). Stifle osteochondritis dissecans in snow leopards (Uncia uncia), Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 43, 2, pp.347-354. McCarthy, K., Fuller, T., Ming, M., McCarthy, T.M., Waits, L. & Jumabaev, K. (2008). Assessing Estimators of Snow Leopard Abundance, The Journal of Wildlife Management, 72(8), pp.1826-1833. McCarthy, T. M. and G. Chapron. (2003). Snow Leopard Survival Strategy. Seattle, USA: ISLT and SLN. McCarthy, T Moller, A. P. and Legendre, S. (2001). Allee effect, sexual selection and demographic stochasticity. Oikos, 92, pp.27–34. Shehzad, W., McCarthy, T.M., Pompanon, F., Purevjav, L., Coissac, E., Riaz, T. & Taberlet, P. (2012). Prey Preference of Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) in South Gobi, Mongolia. PLoS ONE 7(2), pp.1-9. Sunquist, M.E. & Sunquist, F. (2002). Wild cats of the world. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. Turghan, M., Ma, M., Xu, F. & Wang, Y. (2011). Status of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) and its conservation in the tumor peak natural reserve in Xinjiang, China. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 3(10), pp. 497-500