Source: IT
Context: A new survey by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department recorded 83 snow leopards in the state, up from 51 in 2021.
About Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia):
What it is?
- A large, elusive wild cat, often called the “ghost of the mountains” due to its natural camouflage and secretive behaviour.
- It is the State Animal of Himachal Pradesh and an important indicator species for fragile high-altitude ecosystems.
Found in:
- Native to the high mountains of Central and South Asia, across 12 countries including Afghanistan, China, India, Nepal, and Mongolia.
- In India: Found in Western Himalayas (J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) and Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh).
IUCN Status: Listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.
Characteristics of Snow Leopard:
- Physical Traits:
-
- Fur & Camouflage: Thick, white-grey coat with dark rosettes helps it blend with snow-covered rocky slopes—earning the name “Ghost of the Mountains.”
- Strength & Agility: Powerful hind legs allow leaps up to six times its body length, helping chase prey in steep terrain.
- Biological Traits:
-
- Diet: Strictly carnivorous—feeds on blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, marmots, pikas, hares, and other high-altitude prey.
- Territory Size: Needs very large ranges due to low prey density—ranges vary from 5 sq. miles in Nepal to over 190 sq. miles in Mongolia.
- Social & Behavioral Traits:
-
- Lifestyle: Mostly solitary and territorial, except during mating season or when mothers rear cubs.
- Habitat Preference: Inhabits high-altitude cold deserts and rugged slopes above 3,000 m, often up to 5,500 m.
- Elusiveness: Naturally shy and nocturnal, with very low population density, making sightings extremely rare.
