The snow leopard is a rare animal. What does the snow leopard (irbis) eat and how does it hunt? Description of the appearance of the snow leopard

The snow leopard is one of the most beautiful and mysterious species of tigers.

Russian fur merchants adopted the word “irbis” from hunters in Asia back in the 17th century. In Tuva this animal was called irbish, in Semirechye it was called ilbers, east of Alma-Ata in the areas bordering China - irviz. In the Turkic language - irbiz, which means “snow cat”. This word took root in the Russian language, only over time the last letter changed from “z” to “s”

The snow leopard (irbis; Latin names - Uncia uncia and Panthera uncia) is a mammal from the cat family that lives in the mountains of Central Asia. Among large cats, the snow leopard is the only permanent inhabitant of the highlands. The snow leopard's habitat includes parts of the territories of 13 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The snow leopard's range in Russia is 2-3% of the current world range. In Russia, the snow leopard is found in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Khakassia, Tyva and the Altai Republic, in the Eastern Sayan Mountains, in particular on the Tunkinskie Goltsy and Munku-Sardyk ridges.

Despite the external resemblance to a leopard (in English Snow Leopard called “Snow Leopard” - snow leopard), the relationship between it and the snow leopard is not very close, moreover, the size of the snow leopard is noticeably smaller. However, the snow leopard is much stronger and is considered the most ferocious predator of the cat family.

The main coat color is light gray, appearing white in contrast to the black spots. This coloring perfectly camouflages the animal in its natural habitat - among dark rocks, stones, white snow and ice. The spots are shaped like rosettes, inside which there may be an even smaller spot. In this respect, the snow leopard is similar to the jaguar. In the area of ​​the head, neck and limbs, the rosettes turn into black strokes. The coat is very thick and long (up to 55 mm) and serves as protection from the cold in harsh conditions. climatic conditions. From head to tail, the snow leopard measures 140 cm, the tail itself is 90-100 cm long. If we compare the length of the tail and body, then of all the cats the snow leopard has the longest tail, it makes up more than three-quarters of the body length. The snow leopard's tail serves as a balance when jumping. The length of the jump during hunting is up to 14-15 meters. The weight of an adult snow leopard can reach 100 kg.

The snow leopard is a predator that lives and hunts alone. Each snow leopard lives within the boundaries of a strictly defined individual territory. Hunts in most cases before sunset and in the morning at dawn. IN wildlife Snow leopards mainly feed on ungulates: blue sheep, Siberian mountain goats, marking goats, argali, tars, takins, serows, gorals, roe deer, deer, musk deer, deer, wild boars. In addition, from time to time they feed on small animals atypical for their diet, such as ground squirrels, pikas and birds (chukars, snowcocks, pheasants). In Russia, the main food for the snow leopard is Mountain goat, in some places also red deer, roe deer, argali, and reindeer. As a rule, the snow leopard sneaks up on its prey unnoticed and jumps on it with lightning speed. He often uses high stones for this in order to unexpectedly throw the victim to the ground by jumping from above and kill him. At the end of summer, autumn and early winter, snow leopards often hunt in families of 2-3 individuals, which are formed by a female with her cubs. The snow leopard is able to cope with prey three times its mass.

There is a recorded case of two snow leopards successfully hunting a two-year-old Tien Shan brown bear. Snow leopards consume plant food - green parts of plants, grass, etc. - in addition to their meat diet only in the summer. Snow leopards do not emit a loud calling roar, characteristic of large cats, but purr like small ones. During the rut, animals make sounds similar to a bass meow. An adult snow leopard, like most other felines, has 30 teeth. Leopard cubs (snow leopard cubs) are born blind and helpless, but after about 6-8 days they begin to see. The weight of a newborn leopard is about 500 grams with a length of up to 30 cm. The maximum known life expectancy in nature is 13 years.

Life expectancy in captivity is usually about 21 years, but there is a known case where a female lived for 28 years. Illegal but financially lucrative hunting for snow leopard fur has significantly reduced its population. On the black markets of Asia, the skin of this beast can fetch up to 60 thousand dollars. In all countries of its existence, the snow leopard is placed under state protection, but poaching still threatens it.
The number of snow leopards has increased slightly in recent times and now numbers between 3,500 and 7,500 individuals, after only a thousand remained in the 1960s. The largest population of snow leopards is in China, where there are between 2,000 and 5,000 individuals.
There are 150-200 snow leopards in Russia.

Approximately 2,000 snow leopards are kept in zoos around the world and successfully breed in captivity. The snow leopard has become a symbol of the city of Almaty and is depicted on its coat of arms. A stylized winged snow leopard is depicted on the coats of arms of Khakassia and Tatarstan. The snow leopard can also be seen on the coat of arms of the city of Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic. The coat of arms of Samarkand (Uzbekistan) depicts a white leopard.

The hockey club "Ak Bars" (translated from the Tatar language - "white leopard") - an ice hockey team from the city of Kazan, as well as the hockey club "Barys" - an ice hockey team from the city of Astana ( Kazakhstan).

Animal roosts can be found both in places with a good view and in shelters among stone ruins, bush thickets, and at the foot of rock walls. For long-term rest, mainly the second type of beds are used. Perches on rocky ledges, on open ridges dominating the surrounding area, attract snow leopards primarily as vantage points. This conclusion is confirmed by the fact that the animals’ routes do not pass such points, regardless of whether the snow leopards lie down there or only pause to inspect the adjacent slopes. Traces of sitting animals were also noted in such places.

The snow leopard's footprints are enclosed in a smooth semicircle left in the snow by its tucked tail. When lying down, the length of the spot melting under the animal’s body is 65-72, width - 40-45 cm. If the snow leopard changed its position, the size of the bed can increase 1.5-2 times (in a particular case, 85-125 cm). As an example of a snow leopard's shelter, we give its description made on January 24, 1988. on the right bank slope of the river valley. Chon-Kyzyl-Su. The snow leopard, apparently a large male, settled down to rest on a narrow ledge of the slope at the lower edge of a large open stone placer. From here a spruce forest stretched down the slope. The animal lay down in a small semi-grotto formed by stone slabs and a fragment of a fallen tree trunk sandwiched between them. Directly in front of the resting place stood a tall spruce tree about 40cm thick.

At the bottom of the recess there is a platform with a noticeable slope, covered with dry pine needles and spruce branches; there was no snow here. The niche went half a meter under the “roof”, its height was 25-30 cm. At the edge of the bed, where the animal touched the snow, its surface was densely icy. The clear tracks of the front paws imprinted here also became icy. Descending from this bed into the valley, the snow leopard walked for several hundred meters along a continuous spruce forest, passing through its rather dense clumps.

It was strange to see the footprint of a typically high-mountain animal in what was essentially a taiga environment. Meanwhile, animals visit the Tien Shan spruce belt quite often in winter. They periodically cross wide valleys, regardless of large differences in elevation or the boundaries of vertical landscape belts. However, the main routes of snow leopards still flow in the highlands. Ridges and spurs serve as guiding lines for animals.

Even more than along mountain ridges, snow leopards love to walk along the foothills of rocky massifs. Indicative in this regard is the increase in marking activity (frequency of scratching) of animals precisely along the path along linear landmarks. Individual individuals have their own favorite routes and repeat them regularly. At the same time, they can follow their previous trail if it is preserved in the snow. One day, a fresh snow leopard track led us to a scrape left by the same or another animal a few days earlier. But more often than not, animals do not strictly adhere to the same path, so the snow leopard, unlike, for example, a tiger, does not form clear, well-trodden paths. Animals that move in winter in pairs or larger groups (usually broods) do not follow each other for a long time.

Snow leopards disperse, moving on a parallel course, and when hunting they undertake complex maneuvers, sometimes taking an advantageous position for hunting at a distance from their partner. There have been numerous cases where a lynx followed the trail of a snow leopard. The possibility of such superimposition of trace chains once again emphasizes the care with which one must treat the recognition of traces of these cats in areas where they live together.

Or the snow leopard - endemic to Central and Central Asia. This is the only representative of large cats that permanently lives in the highlands.

About 200 years ago, snow leopards were found in Russia from the Altai Mountains to the sources of the Lena River. However, mass extermination has led to the fact that the number of animals has decreased so much that today the snow leopard is listed in the Red Book.

Countries where the snow leopard lives

The habitat of the snow leopard passes through the territory of the following countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bhutan. The total area where the snow leopard lives is 1,230,000 km².

Often in these countries, the snow leopard inhabits mountainous regions. Geographically, the range extends from the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan through the Karakoram, Pamir, Tien Shan, Himalayas, Kashmir and Kunlun Mountains. On the territory of Mongolia, the snow leopard was seen in the Khangai Mountains, as well as in the Mongolian and Gobi Altai. In the Tibetan Plateau it was found up to the Altun Shan mountain range.

Russia is home to 3-5% of the world's snow leopard population. Here it is found in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Khakassia, Tyva and the Altai Republic, Tunkinsky and Kitoi Goltsy.

Snow leopard habitats

The main habitats of the snow leopard are rocky mountains. In summer they stay near the snow line at an altitude of 3600-4000 m above sea level. Climbers and Nepalese Sherpas claim to have met these animals at an altitude of 5500-6000 m. This is the only feline that lives so high. Although in some areas, the snow leopard descends to a height of 600-1200 m. This happens in the Dzungarian and Talas plateaus. Severe frosts force him to descend so low. In the Transbaikal Gobi, the snow leopard is even found in rocky oases that are even lower. The snow leopard has to descend so low because its main food, mountain goats and rodents, moves to this belt.

The favorite places of the snow leopard in mountainous areas are areas with small open plateaus, narrow valleys and gentle slopes with alpine vegetation. Often these areas alternate with rocky gorges and rock slides. The mountain ranges where snow leopards usually live are characterized by steep slopes and deep gorges. On flatter terrain, where there are bushes and scree, the animal finds shelter.

Irbis or snow leopard, also known as snow leopard, is one of the most mysterious and least studied species big cats. Research has shown that the snow leopard has more in common with the tiger than the leopard, and both species share a common ancestor.

The division occurred about 2 million years ago. In 2006, after detailed genetic analysis, these cats were identified as a species of the panther genus.

Snow leopards lead a rather secretive lifestyle. They live in the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau in Central Asia at an altitude of up to 7000 m above sea level. IN summer time they are found at altitudes between 3,350 and 6,700 meters above sea level, where they are sometimes seen by climbers. These large cats live in forests, steppes and mountainous areas. In winter they drop lower - to 1,200 - 2,000 m above sea level.

Difficulties in observing and studying their way of life are explained by the inaccessibility of their habitats and large territory, which they usually occupy.

Snow leopards are able to jump up to 15 m, using their tail as a rudder.

Snow leopards, like most cats (with the exception of lions), are loners. They pair up only during the mating season. They are most active at dawn and dusk. In search of food, they cross their hunting grounds along certain routes. The snow leopard can move even through deep snow (up to 85 cm deep), but usually follows paths made by other animals.

The snow leopard hunts in its chosen territory, and desperately defends it if other predators invade it. The area occupied by each snow leopard, depending on the terrain, ranges from 12 to 40 km2.

The snow leopard can travel up to 40 miles in one night.

The snow leopard can jump a distance of 15 meters. surpassing in this even the puma, which jumps a maximum of 12 meters.

The snow leopard has thick grayish fur on its back and white or creamy white fur on its belly. Some representatives of the species have brown fur. The spots on the skin are black or dark brown. Distinctive feature The appearance of the snow leopard is a thick and very long tail, up to 100 cm in length.

The snow leopard hunts mainly ungulates, such as mountain goats. Its diet also includes marmots, birds and small vertebrates. When the snow leopard is hungry, it may even climb into houses in search of food. Then domestic animals, cattle and poultry become its victims. In addition to meat, the snow leopard sometimes eats small branches and grass.

Few snow leopards live in the wild. In 1994, the population was estimated at 4,000 to 6,500 individuals. Today it is believed to be between 2,000 and 3,300 cats. About 600 snow leopards live in zoos. For example, in Poland they can be seen in the zoos of Gdansk, Krakow, Lodz, Opole, Plock, Poznan and Warsaw.

Populations:

• Afghanistan - 100-200;
• Butane - 100-200;
• China - 2,000-2,500;
• India - 200-600;
• Kazakhstan - 180-200;
• Kyrgyzstan - 150-500;
• Mongolia - 500-1,000;
• Nepal - 300-500;
• Pakistan - 200-420;
• Tajikistan - 180-220;
• Uzbekistan - 20-50.

Reproduction

Snow leopards form pairs only during the mating season. Females give birth to kittens in caves or rock crevices that are covered with moss and the mother's fur. The cubs have darker fur than their parents, allowing them to hide better among rocks.

Protecting the snow leopard population

The snow leopard is on the list of protected animals International Society animal protection.

Snow leopard sizes:

• Body length 75 - 130 cm.
• Tail length: 80 - 100 cm.
• Height: 60 cm.
• Weight: 27 - 55 kg (rarely up to 75 kg).
• Life expectancy: 16-18 years.

Do you know that …

• The snow leopard can jump further than any other cat on earth - up to 15 meters.

• The long tail of the snow leopard serves as a balancer during the jump.
• The snow leopard has short and wide front paws, which give it good grip on the snow.
• At the snow leopard hind legs longer than the front ones, which allows him to make long jumps.
• The snow leopard also has fur on the soles of its paws.

Irbis, snow leopard (Uncia uncia), a predatory mammal of the cat family. Body length is about 130 cm, tail - about 90 cm, weighs from 26 to 40 kg. The fur is smoky-gray, almost white, with ring-shaped dark spots, and is especially lush in winter. The snow leopard is distinguished by a thin, long, flexible body, relatively short legs, a small head and a very long tail. Reaching a length of 200-230 cm together with the tail, it weighs up to 55 kg.

Irbis (snow leopard)

It lives in the high-mountain belt of the ridges of Central Asia (at altitudes from 3000 to 5000 m). In winter it descends into the belt of coniferous forests. It feeds mainly on mountain goats. It causes almost no damage to livestock.

Russian fur merchants adopted the word “irbis” from hunters in Asia back in the 17th century. In Tuva this animal was called irbish, in Semirechye it was called ilbers, to the east of Alma-Ata in the areas bordering China - irviz. In Turkic language - irbiz. This word took root in the Russian language, only over time the last letter changed from “z” to “s”.

Initially, snow leopard fossils dating to the late Pleistocene were found only in the Altai and on the western border of Mongolia. However, more recent finds in northern Pakistan indicate that the snow leopard was common in the area probably between 1.2 and 1.4 million years ago, indicating more ancient origin kind.

The snow leopard belongs to the genus Uncia, which, in terms of a set of morphological and behavioral characteristics, occupies an intermediate position between big cats (genus Panthera) and the group of small cats. The snow leopard is the only representative of this genus.

Relatively large cat. By general appearance resembles a leopard, but is smaller, more squat, with a long tail and is distinguished by very long hair with an unclear pattern in the form of large dark spots and sockets. The body is very elongated and squat, slightly raised in the sacrum area. The length of the body with the head is 103-130 cm, the length of the tail itself is 90-105 cm. Height at the shoulders is about 60 cm. Males are slightly larger than females. The body weight of males reaches 45-55 kg, females - 22-40 kg. The length of the hind foot is 22-26 cm.

Snow leopard near a pond

The coat is tall, very thick and soft, its length on the back reaches 55 mm - it provides protection from cold, harsh environmental conditions. In terms of the thickness of its fur, the snow leopard differs from all big cats and is more similar to small ones.

The general background color of the fur is brownish-gray without any admixtures of yellow and red (a yellowish tint of fur was noted in some individuals that died in captivity and may be an artifact).

The main color of the coat on the back and upper parts of the sides is light gray or grayish, almost white, with a smoky coating. The sides below, the belly and the inner parts of the limbs are lighter than the back. Scattered across the general light gray background are rare large ring-shaped spots in the shape of rosettes, inside of which there may be an even smaller spot, as well as small solid spots of black or dark gray. The spotted pattern is relatively pale, formed by vague spots, the diameter of the largest of which reaches from 5 cm to 7-8 cm. Solid spots of various sizes are located on the head (the smallest of them), neck and legs (larger ones, turning towards the bottom into small ), where there are no ring spots. In the back of the back, the spots sometimes merge with each other, forming short longitudinal stripes. Between the annular spots there are a few small solid ones. Large solid spots on the terminal half of the tail often cover the tail in the transverse direction with an incomplete ring. The very end of the tail is usually black on top. The dark spots are black in color but appear dark grey.

Snow leopard at the zoo

The general color of the main background of winter fur is very light, grayish, almost white, with a smoky coating, more noticeable along the back and along the top of the sides, while a slight light yellowish tint may be developed. This coloring perfectly camouflages the animal in its natural habitat - among dark rocks, stones, white snow and ice.

The general background of summer fur is characterized by a lighter, almost white color and sharp outlines of dark spots. The smoky coating of fur is less pronounced in summer than in winter. There is information that requires further confirmation that with age, the spotted pattern on the skin fades, becoming even more vague and unclear. In young individuals, the spotted pattern is more pronounced, and the color of the spots is more intense than in adult individuals.

There is no sexual dimorphism in coloration. Geographical variation in color in the snow leopard is not expressed or, if it exists, it is very insignificant. The lack of clearly defined geographic variability is determined by the relatively small range of the species. The snow leopard is an extremely stenotypic species and adheres to identical conditions and habitats throughout its entire range.

The head, relative to the size of the body, is small and round in shape. The ears are short, bluntly rounded, without tufts at the ends, and are almost hidden in the fur in winter. The mane and sideburns are not developed. Vibrissae are white and black, up to 10.5 cm long. The eyes are large, with a round pupil.

Sight

The tail is very long, exceeding three-quarters of the body length, covered long hair and therefore it seems very thick (visually its thickness is almost equal to the thickness of the snow leopard’s forearm). Serves as a balancer when jumping. The limbs are relatively short. The snow leopard's paws are wide and massive. The claws on the paws are retractable. The marks are large, round, without claw marks.

The snow leopard, unlike other big cats, cannot roar, despite the incomplete ossification of the hyoid bone, which was thought to allow big cats to roar. New research shows that the ability to growl in cats is determined by others morphological features larynx, which is absent in the snow leopard. Despite the structure of the hyoid apparatus like that of big cats (Panthera), there is no calling “roar or growl”. "Purring" occurs both during inhalation and exhalation - as in small cats (Felis). The methods of tearing apart prey are similar to those of big cats, and the position when eating is similar to that of small cats.

Grin

The snow leopard is an exclusively Asian species. The snow leopard's range in central and southern Asia covers approximately 1,230,000 km² of mountainous regions and extends through the following countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Geographical distribution stretches from the Hindu Kush in eastern Afghanistan and the Syr Darya through the Pamir, Tien Shan, Karakoram, Kashmir, Kunlun, and Himalaya mountains, to Southern Siberia, where the range covers the Altai, Sayan, Tannu-Ola mountains and the mountains west of Lake Baikal. In Mongolia, it was discovered in both the Gobi Altai and the Khangai Mountains. In Tibet it is found as far as Altun Shan in the north.

On the territory of Russia there is a small part of the snow leopard's range, which is approximately 2-3% of the modern world range and represents its northwestern and northern outskirts. The total area of ​​probable snow leopard habitats in Russia is at least 60,000 km². It is found in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in Khakassia, in Tyva and in the Tunkinsky and Kitoisky loaches. However, there is a gradual decrease and fragmentation of the snow leopard's range in Russia.

In the territory of the former USSR, the snow leopard's habitat occupied the Pamir-Gissar system and the Tien Shan - the entire Pamir, the Dariaz ridge, including the southwestern spurs, the Peter the Great, Trans-Alay, Gissar ridges, including the Baysuntau Mountains, the Zeravshan ridge to the Penjikent region. The southern border runs in southern Tajikistan in an arc from Pyanj to the north and covers the Kulyab, Dashti-Jum, Muminabad and Kzyl-Mazar regions, where the animal is found regularly. Further, the border runs to the northwest, skirting Dushanbe from the north. Further, the border runs along the southern slope of the Gissar ridge to the west, and then to the southwest.

To the north and northeast, the snow leopard is found along all the ridges of the Tien Shan system, to the south including the Kurama and Fergana ridges that border the Fergana Valley, in the west - to the western spurs of the Chatkal, Pskem, Ugam and Talas ridges. In Altai, the snow leopard is widespread in the extreme south, where its range covers, as well as partially or entirely, the main ridges of the southern, part of the central, eastern and northeastern Altai and associated massifs.

Snow leopard against the backdrop of mountains

The snow leopard is a characteristic representative of the fauna of the high rocky mountains of Central and Central Asia. Among large cats, the snow leopard is the only permanent inhabitant of the highlands. It predominantly inhabits alpine meadows, treeless cliffs, rocky areas, rocky outcrops, steep gorges and is often found in the snowy zone. But, at the same time, in a number of areas the snow leopard lives at much lower altitudes, populating the zone of tree and shrub vegetation.

Inhabiting the upper belts of high mountains, the snow leopard prefers areas of small open plateaus, gentle slopes and narrow valleys covered with alpine vegetation, which alternate with rocky gorges, heaps of rocks and screes. The ridges where snow leopards usually live are usually characterized by very steep slopes, deep gorges and rock outcrops. Snow leopards can also be found on more leveled areas, where bushes and rocky screes provide them with shelter for resting. Snow leopards mainly stay above the forest line, but can also be found in forests (usually in winter time).

gait

The habitat covers biotopes located in the belt between 1500-4000 meters above sea level. Sometimes it is found at the border of eternal snow, and in the Pamirs in the upper reaches of Alichur its traces were found several times even in winter at an altitude of 4500-5000 meters above sea level. In the Himalayas, the snow leopard has been recorded at an altitude of 5400–6000 meters above sea level and below 2000–2500 meters above sea level. In summer, it most often stays at an altitude of 4000-4500 meters above sea level.

On the slopes of the Turkestan Range in summer, snow leopards were observed exclusively from approximately 2600 meters above sea level and higher. Here the snow leopard stays in rocky places. In Talas Alatau, it lives in the belt between 1200 - 1800 and 3500 meters above sea level. In the Dzhungar Alatau it is found at an altitude of 600-700 meters above sea level.

On the Kungey Alatau ridge in summer, snow leopards are rarely found in the spruce forest belt (2100-2600 meters above sea level) and especially often in the alpine zone (altitudes up to 3300 m above sea level). In the Trans-Ili Alatau and Central Tien Shan, in summer the snow leopard rises to heights of up to 4000 meters or more, and in winter sometimes descends to heights of 1200 m above sea level. u. m. However, the snow leopard is not a high-mountain animal everywhere - in a number of places it lives year-round in the area of ​​low mountains and in the mountain steppe at altitudes of 600-1500 meters above sea level, staying, as in the highlands, near rocky gorges, cliffs and rock outcrops, in places where goats and argali live. At altitudes of 600-1000 meters above sea level, the snow leopard is common all year round in the spurs of the Dzungarian Alatau, Altynemel, Chulak and Matai.

In summer, following its main prey, the snow leopard rises to the subalpine and alpine zones. In winter, when high snow cover sets in, the snow leopard descends from the highlands to the middle mountain zone - often in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bconiferous forest. Seasonal migrations are characterized by a fairly regular nature and are caused by seasonal migrations of ungulates - the main prey of the snow leopard.

Snow leopard on the hunt

Mostly active at dusk, but sometimes during the day. Hunts in most cases before sunset and in the morning at dawn. In the south of its range, for example, in the Himalayas, the snow leopard goes out hunting only before sunset. During the day, snow leopards mostly rest, sleep, and lie on the rocks. It makes its lair in caves and rock crevices, among rocky heaps, often under an overhanging slab and in other similar places where it hides during the day. Often the snow leopard occupies the same den for several years in a row. In the Kyrgyz Alatau, there are known cases when snow leopards used large nests of black vultures located on low-growing juniper trees for daytime roosting.

Adult snow leopards are territorial and solitary animals, although females raise kittens for quite a long period of time. Each snow leopard lives within the boundaries of a strictly defined individual territory. However, it does not aggressively defend its territory from other members of its species. The habitat of an adult male can be overlapped by individual habitats of one to three females. Snow leopards mark their personal territories in various ways.

Snow leopard defending itself

Individual territories can vary significantly in size. In Nepal, where there is a lot of prey, such an area can be relatively small - with an area of ​​12 km² to 39 km², and 5-10 animals can live on an area of ​​100 km². The low prey area, covering an area of ​​1000 km², is home to only up to 5 individuals.
The snow leopard regularly makes the rounds of its hunting area, visiting winter pastures and camps of wild ungulates. At the same time, he moves, adhering to the same routes. When going around pastures or descending from the upper belt of mountains to lower areas, the snow leopard always follows a path that usually follows a ridge or along a river or stream. The length of such a detour is usually long, so the snow leopard reappears in one place or another once every few days.

The animal is poorly adapted to movement on deep, loose snow cover. In areas where there is loose snow, snow leopards mainly trample permanent paths along which they move for a long time.

A predator that usually hunts large prey, corresponding to its size or larger. The snow leopard is able to cope with prey three times its mass. The main prey of the snow leopard almost everywhere and all year round is ungulates.

Snow leopard on the hunt

In the wild, snow leopards mainly feed on ungulates: blue sheep, Siberian mountain goats, marking goats, argali, taras, takins, serows, gorals, musk deer, deer, wild boars. In addition, from time to time they feed on small animals atypical for their diet, such as pikas and birds (chukars, pheasants).

In the Pamirs, it mainly feeds on Siberian mountain goats, and less often on argali. In the Himalayas, the snow leopard hunts mountain goats, gorals, wild sheep, small deer, and Tibetan hares.

In Russia, the main food for the snow leopard is mountain goat, and in some places also deer, argali, and reindeer.

Snow leopard on the hunt

With a sharp decrease in the number of wild ungulates, the snow leopard, as a rule, leaves the territory of such regions, or sometimes begins to attack livestock. In Kashmir, it occasionally attacks domestic goats, sheep, and also horses. There is a recorded case of 2 snow leopards successfully hunting a 2-year-old Tien Shan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus).

Snow leopards consume plant food—green parts of plants, grass, etc.—in addition to their meat diet only in the summer.

Snow leopards hunt alone, stealthily (creeping up to the animal from behind shelters) or from ambush (watching for prey near trails, salt licks, watering holes, or hiding on rocks).

When there are several tens of meters left to the potential prey, the snow leopard jumps out of its cover and quickly overtakes it with jumps of 6-7 meters. If it misses, and does not immediately catch the prey, the snow leopard pursues it at a distance of no more than 300 meters, or does not pursue it at all. The snow leopard tries to grab large ungulates by the throat, and then strangle them or break their necks. Having killed the animal, the snow leopard drags it under a rock or other shelter, where it begins to eat it.

Snow leopard on the hunt

It usually throws away the remains of its prey, and occasionally remains near it, driving away vultures and other scavengers. At the end of summer, autumn and early winter, snow leopards often hunt in families of 2-3 individuals, which are formed by a female with her cubs.

In hungry years, they can hunt near populated areas and attack domestic animals. It mainly catches birds while roosting.

It hunts goats of any age, but mainly females and young animals (which are caught mainly in early summer).

Throughout its range, the snow leopard is the top of the food pyramid and experiences almost no competition from other predators. At one time, an adult snow leopard can eat 2-3 kg of meat.

Snow leopard with prey

Data on the reproduction of the species are scarce. Sexual maturity occurs at 3-4 years of age. Estrus and breeding season occur at the end of winter or at the very beginning of spring. The female usually gives birth once every 2 years. Pregnancy lasts 90-110 days. It makes its lair in the most inaccessible places. Cubs, depending on the geographical area of ​​the range, are born in April - May or May - June.

The rut in nature takes place in January-March, in captivity it lasts until September, and the so-called “false mating” is observed, the pregnancy lasts about 100 days. The overwhelming number of animals (more than 90% of cases) in the wild die as a result of commercial hunting, in captivity - from infectious diseases - 65%. Young of the year left without parents, as a rule, die in nature.

Snow leopard cub

The number of cubs in a litter is usually two or three, much less often - four or five. According to other sources, the birth of 3-5 cubs in one litter is common. Larger litters are probably possible, as there are known cases of encounters between groups of seven snow leopards. The male does not take part in raising the offspring.

Female with kitten

The cubs are born blind and helpless, but after about 6-8 days they begin to see. The weight of a newborn snow leopard is about 500 grams with a length of up to 30 cm. Newborn snow leopards are distinguished by pronounced dark pigmentation of spots, of which there are few, especially few ring ones, but there are large solid black or brownish spots on the back, as well as short longitudinal stripes on its back part. For the first 6 weeks they feed on mother's milk. By mid-summer, the kittens already accompany their mother on the hunt. Young snow leopards are finally ready for independent life in the second winter.

Female with one-year-old cubs. Nuremberg Zoo

The maximum known lifespan in nature is 13 years. Life expectancy in captivity is usually about 21 years, but there is a known case where a female lived for 28 years.

Due to the inaccessibility of habitats and the secretive lifestyle of the snow leopard, available estimates of the number of this species are based only on expert opinions and are indicative. At the same time, it should be noted that due to constant persecution by humans, the number of snow leopards is continuously declining. Illegal but financially attractive poaching for snow leopard fur has significantly reduced its population. On the one hand, due to the reduction of pastures and livestock, the number of the snow leopard's main prey, mountain goats, has increased; on the other hand, the deterioration of the well-being of local residents has led to the active use of hunting grounds and the development of poaching methods of catching animals, including catching snow leopards with snares. At the same time it increased from beginning of the XXI centuries and poaching of snow leopards due to increased demand and high prices for its skins.

The total number of representatives of the species in the wild, as of 2003, is estimated to be between 4,080 and 6,590 individuals. According to the World Wildlife Fund total number The number of species throughout its range is estimated at approximately 3,500 to 7,500 individuals. About 2,000 more snow leopards are kept in zoos around the world and successfully breed in captivity.

Female with cub

Population density in different parts of the range varies greatly - from 10 individuals to less than 0.5 per 100 km². For example, in Russia as a whole it is 0.7 individuals per 100 km², in Altai it ranges from 0.2 to 2.4 individuals, in Nepal - 5-7 individuals, in Mongolia it reaches 3-4 individuals per 100 km².

Factors that negatively affect the status of the population, along with poaching, include the defensive behavior of the snow leopard. Using the protective coloring of their fur and having virtually no natural enemies, when in danger, snow leopards often simply hide, which in open mountainous areas and the presence of firearms among the local population often leads to the death of animals. Also, snow leopards do not avoid feeding on the remains of the victims of other predators and often die by eating poisoned baits illegally used to fight wolves.

Currently, the number of snow leopards is catastrophically low. Illegal but financially lucrative hunting for snow leopard fur has significantly reduced its population. In all countries where the range is located, the snow leopard is under state protection, but poaching still threatens it. The snow leopard is a rare, small and endangered species. Listed on the IUCN Red List (2000) as “endangered” (highest conservation category EN C2A). In the Red Book of Mongolia (1997), the species was given the status of “very rare”; in the Red Book Russian Federation(2001) - “endangered species at the limit of its range” (category 1). The snow leopard is also listed in Annex I of the Convention on international trade endangered species of fauna and flora (CITES). It is worth noting, however, that all these environmental acts and documents create only a legal framework, which is poorly implemented locally, as evidenced by the increasing level of poaching and smuggling. At the same time, there are no programs aimed at long-term conservation of the snow leopard.

In the Red Book of the USSR, published in 1984, the snow leopard was given the status of “ rare view with a relatively small area" (category 3). In the Red Book of the RSFSR, 1983 edition and the Red Book of the Russian Federation, published in 2001, the snow leopard is assigned the status of “endangered species at the limit of its range” (category 1).

Snow leopard is resting

July 22, 2002 at a meeting working group with the participation of representatives of the Ministry natural resources Russian Federation, representatives of environmental authorities of the republics of Khakassia, Tyva, and Krasnoyarsk Territory, Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution named after. A. N. Severtsov RAS, the Commission on Large Carnivorous Mammals of the Theriological Society of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Representative Office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) adopted and approved the “Strategy for the conservation of the snow leopard (irbis) in Russia.”

Snow leopards were caught in small quantities - the world production of leopards, before the ban on hunting them, amounted to no more than 1000 skins per year. In 1907-1910, the global annual production of snow leopard skins was 750-800 pieces. In the 1950s and 1960s, only dozens of its skins were harvested on the territory of the former USSR. At the same time, the procurement price for them was extremely low - on average about 3 rubles. The main areas for snow leopard fishing were Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The skins were used mainly for making carpets, women's fur coats, coats and collars.

Snow leopards have always been in demand on the world market and are very expensive. For a long time, the snow leopard was considered a dangerous and harmful predator, so hunting it was allowed year-round, by any means. They even gave out a bonus for catching snow leopards. On the world market, live snow leopards have always been in high demand, and their sale has been a profitable source of animal export.

According to experts, in 1998, 15-20 snow leopards were illegally hunted in Russia. Due to the small number of leopards and their location in sparsely populated areas, their harm to hunting and livestock farming is insignificant.

In relation to humans, the snow leopard is very timid and, even when wounded, attacks a person in extremely rare cases. Only a wounded animal can be dangerous to humans. In the territory of the former USSR, two cases of snow leopard attacks on humans were recorded: on July 12, 1940, in the Maloalmaatinsky gorge near Alma-Ata, a snow leopard attacked two people during the day and inflicted serious injuries on them. He was killed and examined and found to have rabies. In the second case, in winter, also not far from Almaty, an old and severely emaciated, toothless snow leopard jumped from a cliff onto a passing person.

Snow leopard jumping

Although the snow leopard was known in Europe at the end of the 18th century, Europeans saw a live animal only in 1872, when Governor General Konstantin Petrovich Kaufman sent a couple of young animals from Turkestan.

The first snow leopard appeared in the Moscow Zoo in 1901 and was donated by the “Honorary Trustee of the Zoological Garden” K. K. Ushakov.

Today, the captive population of snow leopards numbers about 2,000 individuals, most of which are located in China. Approximately 16% of captive snow leopards were wild-caught, while the rest were born in zoos. The number of snow leopards kept in zoos around the world outside of China is about 600-700 individuals. Animals kept in captivity reproduce successfully, for example, in 1996, 179 kittens were born from breeding 105 males and 126 females in 87 litters. Of course, we cannot see the snow leopard; even the most experienced workers mostly see only its tracks. The snow leopard is found only in the highlands, in the steepest and most inaccessible places, and today there are very few of them left. The snow leopard is not snow-white as you might think; its skin is gray with small dark spots. Unlike the tiger, the snow leopard never attacks humans; even wounded, he strives with all his strength to leave and hide. Of course, there are exceptions, but they are extremely rare.

Snow leopard family

The snow leopard never kills more prey than it needs for food; if it misses in a jump, it does not pursue mountain goats or other game for a long time. For hunting, he needs a large area, and to raise his kids, he needs privacy and peace; Little leopard cubs are born no larger than kittens, weighing 300 - 350 grams. Snow leopards mostly only enter the reserve from the territory of Mongolia, and their visits are learned from their tracks. The snow leopard is now protected everywhere, but still this rare, beautiful and fastidious animal is on the verge of complete extinction.

The snow leopard is listed on the IUCN-96 Red List, Appendix 1 of CITES. Protected in Sayano-Shushenskoye and. The Sayano-Shushensky Reserve is the main reserve for the conservation of snow leopards in Russia and the second most important in the Mongolian-Siberian part of the range (after the Great Gobi Reserve). If the Maly Abakan Nature Reserve created in Khakassia is expanded south to the border with Tyva (Lake Ulug-Mongush-Khol), it may contain mountain species of ungulates and snow leopards. The most radical protection measure should be the creation of new natural reserves. Semi-free keeping of animals is possible in them. The experience of the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve shows that with strict protection, the leopard population quickly recovers. It is here that the core of the Western Sayan population should be preserved with the inclusion of the Urbun river basin (a Siberian mountain goat station) in the protective zone. The creation of the East Sayan Nature Reserve in the Oka River basin could play a decisive role in restoring the number of snow leopards in the Baikal region. It would be advisable to organize a reserve in the Central Sayan, including the Udinsky ridge and eastern part Ergak-Torgak-Taigi.

The total number of zoos and zoos containing snow leopards around the world is at least 130. The number of animals in them as of June 1994 was 484 individuals. It is believed that in order to maintain the gene pool of snow leopards at a normal level, their number can be limited to 230 individuals. In 1989 International Fund snow leopard (International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, USA) began collecting information on the status of snow leopard groups in protected areas to create an effective control system (SLIMS - Snow Leopard International Management Systems).

Majestic Predator

Due to the inaccessibility of the habitat and the low density of the species, many aspects of its biology still remain poorly studied.

Snow leopard or snow leopard (uncia uncia)- a predatory mammal, one of the rarest, major representatives cat family.

Description

The length of the body of an adult is 1000-1300 mm, the length of the tail is about 800-1000 mm and is equal to approximately 75% to 90% of the total body length. This extremely long tail is used for balancing in the rocky and mountainous terrain where they live, and the animals also use it to keep their limbs warm during harsh winter weather. The average weight of an adult snow leopard is 35-45 kg. There is no pronounced sexual dimorphism among these animals, but males may slightly exceed females in weight. Compared to other felines, snow leopards have slightly larger front paws, with an average foot pad measuring 90 to 100 mm in length and 70 to 80 mm in width. They also have relatively long hind legs, adapted for better maneuvering and jumping in their habitat.

The fur color of the snow leopard varies from light gray to smoky gray, with a creamy yellow and white tint usually found on the belly. The entire body of the snow leopard is covered with gray-black spots, which are surrounded by black rings. Larger spots and rings surrounding them are found only on the body and tail, while solid spots are common on the head, neck and lower limbs. Juveniles have longitudinal black stripes running along the back from head to tail. As they grow and mature, these stripes break up into large spots that form lateral rows of elongated rings along the center of the back.

Snow leopards have long, thick fur that sheds twice a year. IN winter period it becomes thicker and longer. In summer, the length of the snow leopard's fur is about 25 mm on the sides and approximately 50 mm on the belly and tail. In winter, the fur reaches 50 mm on the sides, from 30 to 55 mm on the back, 60 mm on the tail and up to 120 mm on the belly. In addition to their thick fur, they have small, rounded ears that help minimize heat loss in cold conditions. Compared to other felines, snow leopards have much larger nasal cavities, as well as small and wide heads in relation to their body size.

Area

Snow leopards live on large areas, equal to approximately 2.3 million square kilometers. They can be found on all the high mountain ranges of Central Asia. This includes the entire Himalayan mountain system, as well as areas in Bhutan, Nepal and Siberia of Russia. Snow leopards are found anywhere from the Himalayas to southern and western Mongolia and southern Russia, but 60% of the population is found in China, especially in the autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Tebet, and in the provinces of Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu.

Habitat

Steep, rocky, and rugged terrain is the preferred resting place for snow leopards, particularly near natural vegetation. The cliffs and large ridges are ideal for daytime recreation. Snow leopards live in alpine and subalpine zones at altitudes from 900 to 5,500 meters and above, but most often at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,500 meters. In winter they can migrate to lower places, to an altitude of 900 meters. Snow leopards generally avoid dense forests and cultivated fields, but can live in coniferous forests, and in arid and semi-arid scrubland, grasslands, montane grasslands and barren areas.

In western Nepal, in an area with high mining densities, the average size The habitat range varies from 12 to 39 square kilometers. However, in areas with difficult terrain, the actual range is likely to be 20-30% greater.

Reproduction

Snow leopards are solitary animals and do not communicate with others of their own kind unless it is mating season. Due to the long time spent raising their young, females mate every second year. They are polygamous in the wild, but some snow leopards have been known to become monogamous in captivity.

Snow leopard breeding is highly seasonal and occurs from January to March. When females come into heat, they make a continuous squeaking sound that attracts males. The female offers herself to the male - she raises her tail and walks around him. During mating, the male grabs the hair on the female's neck, thereby holding her in one position. Gestation lasts 90-105 days, with cubs born from April to June. The number of offspring per litter is 2-3 kittens, but in rare cases varies from 1 to 5. They are born in rocky shelters, where the female makes a warm nest of wool on her belly. At birth, weight ranges from 300 to 600 grams.

Breastfeeding lasts about 5 months, but young animals can consume solid food as early as 2 months of age. The first year of life there is a close connection between the mother and her offspring. Females reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years, and males at 4 years.

Since snow leopards are solitary animals, the longest social contact occurs during the period when females are raising their offspring. Kittens are born blind, and upon reaching... one week old open their eyes.

The reproductive rate of snow leopards is higher in areas where females have the opportunity to hide in reliable shelter and also feed on prey nearby. This is necessary for the safety of their offspring, since inaccessible and reliable shelter helps hide the babies from other predators and allows females to hunt freely. After reaching three months of age, kittens follow their mother and learn basic survival skills such as hunting. During the first year of life, the mother provides the cubs with food, protection, training and other necessary resources.

Lifespan

Since snow leopards lead a very solitary lifestyle, it is quite difficult to accurately determine the average life expectancy of these animals. In captivity, snow leopards live up to 21 years.

Behavior

Snow leopards are most active during dawn and dusk. They are also very mobile and can move from one place to another every day and change their resting place several times during the day. Generally, they stay in one specific area for several weeks and then move to another.

Snow leopards are solitary animals, but during the mating season they are in pairs, so they share territory with each other. Individuals that are forced to share territory maintain a distance of approximately 2 km from the nearest individual. Snow leopards avoid each other by marking their paths with scratches, feces and special glands that can describe the sex and reproductive status of the individual.

They have a well-developed ability to jump high thanks to their wide paws and elongated hind legs. Snow leopards prefer to spend their time on tall structures, especially when living in captivity. A rare observation of the behavior of snow leopards in captivity has determined that the animals reduce their activity in places where people are present.

The preferred method of hunting is stalking. They then ambush their prey from higher ground, using rocky terrain and shrubby vegetation for camouflage.

Communication and perception

Unlike other large cats, snow leopards do not growl. Instead, they emit a high-pitched howl, especially females during the breeding season. This sound allows females to notify males of their location and, as a rule, this happens late in the evening. Vocalizations are non-aggressive and the sound is produced through the nostrils of the animals. The presence of one snow leopard in close proximity to another produces this sound, and can be described as a greeting.

Snow leopards make high-pitched sounds and communicate their location. Their long tails used in a number of communication functions. Animals also use tactile communication, namely rubbing the head and neck of their social partner, which indicates a peaceful mood.

Another way of communication is facial expressions. For example, when defending, they open their jaws quite wide and lift their lips to expose their fangs. However, when they are friendly, they only open their mouth without exposing their fangs, and also wrinkle their nose.

Snow leopards, likewise, prefer to communicate through smells and other chemicals.

Nutrition

Snow leopards are carnivores and actively hunt for their prey. They are also opportunistic predators and will consume any meat to provide their body with the energy it needs. Snow leopards are capable of killing animals 3-4 times their weight, but if necessary they can consume much smaller prey.

The main animal that snow leopards feed on is nakhur (Pseudois nayaur). Other prey species include the Siberian mountain goat (Capra ibex sibrica), horned goat (Capra failconeri), argali (Ovis ammon), mouflon (Ovis orientalis), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), Sumatran serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), Himalayan goral (Naemorhaedus goral), red-bellied musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), boar (Sus scrofa), orongo (Pantholops hodgsonf), Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata), goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) and kulan (Equus hemionus). Small prey includes marmots (Marmota), hares (Lepus), pikas (Ochotona), gray voles (Microtus), mice and birds.

Due to overhunting by humans, the population of wild ungulates in certain regions has declined significantly, and snow leopards have begun to prey on livestock.

Threats

Snow leopards are predatory animals, so they have fewer threats from wild animals than from people. However, interspecific killing between leopards (Panthera pardus) and snow leopards can occur when competition for resources increases. Adults are also a potential threat to young animals.

In the last two decades, the population has declined by at least 20% due to habitat loss, prey, poaching and persecution. The main factor influencing population decline is human activity. Wool, bones and other body parts are of particular value to poachers. The skin is in great demand. Recently, their bones have become a popular substitute for tiger bones in Chinese medicine. Many farmers are responsible for killing snow leopards and risk losing their livestock.

Security status

Snow leopards are endangered. The number of individuals worldwide is estimated to range from 4,080 to 6,590 individuals.

Role in the ecosystem

Snow leopards are apex predators, meaning they play a key role in maintaining biodiversity in the ecosystem. They are an important indicator of health environment and help regulate populations of animals lower on the food chain.

Snow leopards can be recognized as indicator species, and this is important because it provides an opportunity to motivate the public to support ecosystem conservation. If snow leopard habitats are protected, many other animals will also have their habitats protected.

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