Snow Leopard - 'Yuki'

This is YUKI, a female snow leopard born in July 2006. She was donated to us so we could do an animal behavior research program with her. Snow Leopards are critically endangered and we are extremely lucky to have her as a resident here at the Foundation. She will eventually weigh up to 135 pounds.

Although sharing its name with the common leopard, the snow leopard is not believed to be closely related to the leopard. Although it has similar rosettes and broken-spot markings, they appear less well defined and are spaced further apart. Due to the under-development of the tissue that forms the vocal chords the snow leopard cannot give a full, deep roar like its fellow 'big cats.' The snow leopard has superb camouflage for its mountain environment of bare rocks and snow, being whitish-grey tinged with brownish/yellow, and patterned with dark grey rosettes and spots. It has lighter fur on its belly, chest and chin. The fur is long and woolly and helps protect the cat from the extreme cold of its generally mountainous habitat. Further adaptations for high altitude include an enlarged nasal cavity, shortened powerful limbs supported by powerful paws, well-developed chest muscles for climbing and a tail up to 3 feet. The long tail is thought to aid balance, and snow leopards will wrap their tails around themselves when lying or sitting for added warmth. Snow leopards are capable of killing prey up to three times their own weight. Their most common prey consists of wild sheep and goats, but also includes pikas, hares, and gamebirds.

The snow leopard is found in the mountainous regions of central Asia, ranging in the north from Russia and Mongolia down through China and Tibet into the Himalayan regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The snow leopard is rarely associated with dense forestation. Snow leopards are generally found at elevations between 10,000-15,000 feet.

As with the Tiger, the snow leopard is hunted for its bones, which are used in many Chinese medicines. This, along with the enforced decline of many of this cat's larger prey species, places pressure on the remaining numbers of snow leopards left in the wild. It is possible that without continuing action by conservationists snow leopards may become extinct in the wild.