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For the operating system, see Mac OS X v10.6. Mac OS X version 106 “Snow Leopard” is an Apple Operating system currently in development that is planned to succeed version 10
Snow Leopard[1]

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Uncia
Species: U. The conservation status of a Species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future An endangered species is a population of an organism which is at risk of becoming Extinct because it is either few in numbers or threatened by changing environmental or predation The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List) created in 1963 is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands The diverse order Carnivora (kɑrˈnɪvərə or sometimes /ˌkɑrnɪˈvɔərə/ from Latin carō (stem carn-) "flesh" + vorāre Felidae is the biological family of the cats a member of this family is called a felid. Pantherinae is the subfamily of the family Felidae which includes the genera Panthera, Uncia and Neofelis uncia
Binomial name
Uncia uncia
(Schreber, 1775)
Range map
Range map

The Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), sometimes known as the ounce, is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia from Afghanistan to Lake Baikal and eastern Tibet. Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber ( Weißensee Thuringia, 1739 — Erlangen, 1810 was a German naturalist. Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south Lake Baikal (о́зеро Байка́л Ozero Baykal, ˈozʲɪrə bʌjˈkɑl Байгал нуур Baygal nuur) is in Southern Siberia in Russia Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European The taxonomic position of this species has been subject to change. In the past, many taxonomists included the Snow Leopard in the genus Panthera, with several of the other largest felids, but later it was placed in its own genus, Uncia. Panthera is a Genus of the family Felidae (the cats which contains four well-known living Species: the Tiger, the Felidae is the biological family of the cats a member of this family is called a felid. However, a recent molecular study places the species firmly within the genus Panthera, although the exact position remains unclear. [3] It cannot roar, despite possessing an incomplete ossification of the hyoid bone, which was thought to be essential in allowing the big cats to roar. However, new studies show that the ability to roar is due to other morphological features, especially of the larynx, which are absent in the Snow Leopard. The term morphology in Biology refers to the outward appearance ( Shape, Structure, Colour, Pattern) of an Organism The larynx (plural larynges) colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the Neck of Mammals involved in protection of the [4] Well known for its beautiful fur, the Snow Leopard has a whitish-tan coat with ringed spots of dark, ashy-brown and rosettes of black. Its tail is heavy with fur and the bottom of its paws are covered with fur for protection against snow and cold.

The life span of a Snow Leopard is normally 15–18 years, but in captivity it can live up to 20 years.

Contents

Description

Weighing usually 35 kilograms (77 lb) to 55 kilograms (121 lb),[4] the Snow Leopard is slightly smaller on average than a leopard. [5] Exceptional large males can weigh up to 75 kilograms (165 lb), very small females weigh only 25 kilograms (55 lb). [4] The head and body length is 39–51 in (99–130 cm), the shoulder height is about 60 cm (24 in). [4] The tail measures 32–39 in (81–99 cm) and is proportionately longer than in any other cat species of comparable size. It helps to maintain its balance on the rugged terrain and unstable surfaces of its habitat and is used to cover its nose and mouth in very cold conditions. The head of the Snow Leopard is relatively small, however the male's head is usually much squarer and wider than that of the female. The big furry feet act as snowshoes, like those of the lynxes. Development of snowshoes Origins Before humanity built snowshoes nature provided examples A lynx is any of four medium-sized wild cats. All are members of the Genus Lynx, but there is considerable confusion about the best way to classify The Snow Leopard has gray-and-white thick fur with numerous rosettes on the flanks and spots on the head and neck. Fur is a body hair of any non-human Mammal, also known as the Pelage. [4]

Ecology

In summer, the Snow Leopard usually lives above the tree line on mountainous meadows and in rocky regions at an altitude of 2,700 m (8,858 ft) to 6,000 m (19,685 ft). The tree line or timberline is the edge of the habitat at which Trees are capable of growing In winter, it comes down into the forests at an altitude of about 2,000 m (6,562 ft). It leads largely a solitary life, although mothers can rear cubs for extended periods of time in cave dens in the mountains. It is an opportunistic feeder, eating whatever meat it can find and kills animals three times its size, including domestic livestock. Its diet consists mainly of ibexes, the Bharal, the Markhor, the Urial, deer, boars, as well as pikas, marmots and other small rodents. An ibex, commonly called by its French name bouquetin also called Steinbock in German an individual of any of several species of wild mountain goats (genus The bharal or Himalayan blue sheep, Pseudois nayaur, is a caprid found in the high Himalayas of Nepal, Tibet, The Markhor ( Capra falconeri) is a goat-antelope found in sparse Woodland in the Western Himalayas. The Urial ( Ovis orientalis vignei group is a subpecies group of the wild sheep Ovis orientalis. A deer is a Ruminant Mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. The boar or wild boar ( Sus scrofa) is an Omnivorous, gregarious Mammal of the biological family Suidae. Pikas are small hamster-like animals with short limbs rounded ears and short tails Marmots are members of the Genus Marmota, in the Rodent family Sciuridae (squirrels Rodentia is an order of Mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must It ambushes prey from above when possible, as it can jump as far as 14 meters (46 ft). [6] Its agility often proves helpful when ambushing prey and traversing through mountains.

An individual Snow Leopard lives within a well defined home range. However, it does not defend its range aggressively when encroached upon by other individuals. Home ranges can vary greatly in size. In Nepal, where prey is abundant, a home range can be as small as 12 km² (5 sq mi) to 39 km² (15 sq mi) and up to 5 to 10 animals are found here per 100 km² (39 sq mi); whereas, in habitats with sparse prey, an area of 1,000 km² (386 sq mi) supports only 5 of these cats. [4]

Range

The Snow Leopard's range in central and south Asia is rugged mountainous regions of approximately 1,230,000 square kilometers, which extends through 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Kazakhstan, also Kazakstan ( Қазақстан, Qazaqstan, qɑzɑqˈstɑn Казахстан, Kazakhstán,) officially the Kyrgyzstan (ˈkɻ̩gɪztɑn (AmE or /'kɝgəztan/ (BrE Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан; Russian: Киргизия or Киргизстан or Кыргызстан Mongolia (mɒŋˈɡoʊliə, literally Mongol country/nation,) is a Landlocked Country in East Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Tajikistan (təˈdʒɪkɨstæn or /təˈdʒiːkɨstæn/ Тоҷикистон tɔʤikɪsˈtɔn or, Persian تاجیکستان‎ taajikestaan officially the Republic of Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( Uzbek: O‘zbekiston Respublikasi or Ўзбекистон Республикаси is a doubly

The geographic distribution streches from the Hindukush in eastern Afghanistan and the Syr Darya through the mountains of Pamir Tien Shan, Karakorum, Kashmir, Kunlun, and the Himalaya to southern Siberia, where the range covers the russian Altai, Sajan, Tannu-Ola Mountains and the mountains to the west of Lake Baikal. The Hindu Kush is a Mountain range located between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Syr Darya (Сырдария Сирдарё Sirdaryoسيردريا also transliterated Syrdarya or Sirdaryo) is a River in Central Asia The Tian Shan (天山 Pinyin: Tiān Shān "celestial mountains" also commonly spelled Tien Shan, is a Mountain range located in Central Karakorum (Khalkha Mongolian Khara-khorin, Classical Mongolian Qara Qorum) was the capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century This article is about the geographical region of greater Kashmir The Kunlun Mountains ( Mongolian: Хөндлөн Уулс is one of the longest Mountain chains in Asia, extending more than 3000 Km. The Tannu-Ola mountains ( Tuvan: tyv Таңды-Уула Tangdy-Uula mountains) is a mountain range in southern Siberia, in the Tuva Republic In Mongolia it is found in the Mongolian and Gobi Altai and the Khangai Mountains. The Khangai mountains ( mongolian mn Хангайн нуруу Khangain nuruu) are a mountain range in central Mongolia, some 400 kilometres west of In Tibet it is found up to the Altyn-Tagh in the North. Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European Altyn-Tagh, Astyn-Tagh or Aerjin ( meaning Gold Mountain also called Altun Shan, or Altun Range is one of the chief constituent ranges of the [5]

Population and conservation

Snow Leopard at zoo d'Amnéville, France
Snow Leopard at zoo d'Amnéville, France
Snow Leopard
Snow Leopard

The total wild population of the Snow Leopard is estimated at between 4,000 and 7,500 individuals (see table below). The ' Zoo d'Amnéville' is a quite young Zoo which was created in 1986 in Amnéville, near Metz. In addition, there are 600-700 animals in zoos around the world. [7]

Range Country Habitat Area
(sq. km. )		 Estimated
Population
Afghanistan 50,000 N/A
Bhutan 15,000 100-200
China 1,100,000 2,000-5,000
India 75,000 200-600
Kazakhstan 50,000 100-200
Kyrgyz Republic 105,000 150-500
Mongolia 101,000 500-1000
Nepal 30,000 300-500
Pakistan 80,000 200-420
Russia N/A N/A
Tajikistan 100,000 180-220
Uzbekistan 10,000 20-50
Snow Leopard in the San Diego Zoo.
Snow Leopard in the San Diego Zoo. The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California is one of the largest most progressive Zoos in the world with over 4000 animals

Protected Areas:

Much progress has been made in securing the survival of the Snow Leopard, with Snow Leopards being successfully bred in captivity. Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park is a national park in southern Mongolia. Ubsunur Hollow (also spelled Ubsu-Nur) is a fragile mountain basin or depression located on the territorial border of Mongolia and the Republic of Tuva Mongolia (mɒŋˈɡoʊliə, literally Mongol country/nation,) is a Landlocked Country in East Tyva Republic (Респу́блика Тыва́ Respublika Tyva, rʲɪˈspublʲɪkə tɨˈva Тыва Республика Tyva Respublika) or Tuva The animals usually give birth to 2 to 3 cubs in a litter, but can give birth to up to 7 in some cases.

Snow Leopard in heraldry

The Snow Leopard (almost invariably known in heraldry as the ounce) (Aq Bars) is a national symbol for Tatars and Kazakhs: a Snow Leopard is found on the official seal of the city of Almaty, and a winged Snow Leopard is found on Tatarstan's coat of arms. Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. Aq Bars (or Ak Bars) ( Cyrillic: Ак Барс is the coat of arms of Tatarstan. Tatars ( Tatar: Tatarlar/Татарлар sometimes spelled Tartars, are a Turkic -speaking ethnic group or multiple ethnic groups The Kazakhs (also spelled Kazaks, Qazaqs; Kazakh: Қазақтар qɑzɑqtɑr Russian: Казахи the English name is transliterated Almaty ( Алматы; formerly known as Alma-Ata ( Алма-Ата) also Verniy, (Верный is the largest city in Kazakhstan Aq Bars (or Ak Bars) ( Cyrillic: Ак Барс is the coat of arms of Tatarstan. Republic of Tatarstan (Респу́блика Татарста́н Татарстан Республикасы|Tatarstan Respublikası is a federal subject of the Russian Aq Bars (or Ak Bars) ( Cyrillic: Ак Барс is the coat of arms of Tatarstan. A similar leopard is featured at the coat of arms of North Ossetia-Alania. The Snow Leopard award was given to Soviet mountaineers who scaled all five of the Soviet Union's 7000m peaks. The Snow Leopard award ( Russian: Снежный барс) was a Soviet Mountaineering award given to very experienced climbers The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 In addition, the Snow Leopard is the symbol of the Girl Scout Association of Kyrgyzstan. Scouting in Kyrgyzstan was founded in November 1994 and is not yet a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, but is working toward WOSM recognition

Snow Leopard on the backside of the old 10000 tenge (Kazakhstan) banknote. The tenge (теңге is the currency of Kazakhstan. It is divided into 100 tiyn (тиын also transliterated as tiyin or tijn) Kazakhstan, also Kazakstan ( Қазақстан, Qazaqstan, qɑzɑqˈstɑn Казахстан, Kazakhstán,) officially the

Aq Bars is the coat of arms of Tatarstan. Republic of Tatarstan (Респу́блика Татарста́н Татарстан Республикасы|Tatarstan Respublikası is a federal subject of the Russian It is an ancient Turkic and Bolgar symbol translated as "white leopard" or "snow leopard". The Turkic peoples are Eurasian peoples residing in northern central and western Eurasia who speak languages belonging to the Turkic language family Bolgar (Болгар Bolğar inofficially called Bulgar, Bolgari or Bolgary, is a town in the Republic of Tatarstan,

Snow Leopard as a symbol of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Almaty ( Алматы; formerly known as Alma-Ata ( Алма-Ата) also Verniy, (Верный is the largest city in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, also Kazakstan ( Қазақстан, Qazaqstan, qɑzɑqˈstɑn Казахстан, Kazakhstán,) officially the

Snow Leopard as a symbol of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Astana ( Kazakh: Астана آستانه former names include Akmola, Akmolinsk, Tselinograd, and Aqmola) is the capital Kazakhstan, also Kazakstan ( Қазақстан, Qazaqstan, qɑzɑqˈstɑn Казахстан, Kazakhstán,) officially the

Snow Leopard as a symbol of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan (ˈkɻ̩gɪztɑn (AmE or /'kɝgəztan/ (BrE Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан; Russian: Киргизия or Киргизстан or Кыргызстан

References

  1. ^ Wozencraft, W. C. (16 November 2005). Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. in Wilson, D. E. , and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 548. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.  
  2. ^ Cat Specialist Group (2002). Uncia uncia. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List) created in 1963 is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.
  3. ^ Johnson, W. E. , Eizirik, E. , Pecon-Slattery, J. , Murphy, W. J. , Antunes, A. , Teeling, E. & O'Brien, S. J. 2006. The Late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: A genetic assessment. Science 311: 73-77; access date = September 26, 2006
  4. ^ a b c d e f Nowak, Ronald M. Science is the Academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is considered one of the world's most prestigious Scientific (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press. The Johns Hopkins University Press is a Publishing house and division of Johns Hopkins University that engages in publishing journals and books ISBN 0-8018-5789-9.  
  5. ^ a b V. G. Heptner (1989). Mammals of the Sowjetunion Vol. II, Part 2, CARNIVORA (Hyenas and Cats). New York: Leiden. ISBN 9004088768.  
  6. ^ Animal Bytes: snow leopard. San Diego Zoo (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-05. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John
  7. ^ Habitat and Range. Snow Leopard Trust (2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont
  8. ^ UNESCO World Heritage Centre Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks. Brief Description. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  9. ^ Snow Leopard Conservancy. 2006. Training park managers in the conservation of snow leopards. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  10. ^ UNESCO World Heritage Center. Sagarmatha National Park: Brief Description. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  11. ^ Snow Leopard Network. 2005. Camera Trapping of Snow Leopards in the Muzat Valley. Retrieved 27 November 2006.

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