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ok so i went to a school in soweto and i did a sevea there ... i asked the kids to use ther word i say in a sentence, i said "mushroom' the child responds, "everyday wen daddi fetch meh frome skool in the imoto he says move up theres mushroom..' |
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{{About|the cat}} |
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{{Taxobox |
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| status = EN |
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| status_system = iucn3.1 |
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| status_ref =<ref name=iucn/> |
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| trend = left |
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| image = Uncia uncia.jpg |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
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| classis = [[Mammal]]ia |
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| ordo = [[Carnivora]] |
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| familia = [[Felidae]] |
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| subfamilia = [[Pantherinae]] |
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| genus = '''''Uncia''''' (disputed) |
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| genus_authority = Gray, 1854<ref>{{ITIS |taxon=''Uncia'' Gray, 1854 |id=183810 |accessdate=December 14, 2011}}</ref> |
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| species = '''''U. uncia''''' |
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| binomial = ''Uncia uncia'' |
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| binomial_authority = ([[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber|Schreber]], 1775) |
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| range_map=snow leopard range.png |
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| range_map_caption=Range map |
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| synonyms = |
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*''Felis irbis'' <small>[[Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg|Ehrenberg]], 1830 (= ''Felis uncia'' Schreber, 1775), by subsequent designation ([[Theodore Sherman Palmer|Palmer]], 1904).<ref name=msw3/></small> |
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*''Panthera uncia'' <small>[[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber|Schreber]], 1775</small> |
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| subdivision_ranks = subspecies |
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| subdivision = [[#Taxonomy|see text]] |
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}} |
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The '''snow leopard''' (''[[Panthera]] uncia'' or ''Uncia uncia'') is a moderately large [[Felidae|cat]] native to the mountain ranges of [[Central Asia]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20100412160229/http://www.snowleopard.org/catfactsclassroom/catfacts/habitatandrange Habitat and Range]. snowleopard.org</ref> The classification of this species has been subject to change and is still classified as ''Uncia uncia'' by [[MSW3]] as of 2000<ref>[http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?s=y&id=14000269 Mammal Species of the World – Browse: uncia]. Bucknell.edu. Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref> and [[CITES Appendix I]].<ref>[http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php Appendices I, II and III of CITES]. Cites.org (2012-04-03). Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref> However with more recent genetic studies,<ref name="iucnredlist1">[http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22732/0 Panthera uncia (Ounce, Snow Leopard)]. Iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref><ref>[http://www.catsg.org/catnews/02_webarchive/news-nr48-2008/content-nr48-2008.htm#Article%2002 Contents Cat News 48 – Spring 2008]. Catsg.org. Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref> the snow leopard is now generally considered as ''[[Panthera uncia]]'' and classified as such by [[IUCN]].<ref name="iucnredlist1"/> Classically, two subspecies have been attributed but genetic differences between the two have not been settled. The snow leopard remains on the [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species|endangered species list]] classified as C1.<ref name="iucnredlist1"/> |
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Snow leopards occupy [[Alpine climate | alpine]] and [[subalpine zone|subalpine]] areas generally {{Convert|3350|and|6700|m|ft}}<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1523-1739.2003.00092.x|title=The Role of Incentive Programs in Conserving the Snow Leopard|year=2003|last1=Mishra|first1=Charudutt|last2=Allen|first2=Priscilla|last3=McCarthy|first3=TOM|last4=Madhusudan|first4=M. D.|last5=Bayarjargal|first5=Agvaantserengiin|last6=Prins|first6=Herbert H. T.|journal=Conservation Biology|volume=17|issue=6|pages=1512}}</ref> above sea level in Central Asia. The Snow Leopard Survival Strategy (McCarthy et al. 2003, Table II) compiled national snow leopard population estimates, updating the work of Fox (1994). Many of the estimates are acknowledged to be rough and out of date, but the total estimated population is 4,080–6,590.<ref name="carnivoreconservation1">McCarthy, T. M. and G. Chapron (2003). [http://www.carnivoreconservation.org/files/attente/pdfs/slss_big.pdf Snow Leopard Survival Strategy]. ISLT and SLN, Seattle, USA.</ref> However, the global snow leopard effective population size (those likely to reproduce) is suspected to be fewer than 2,500 (50% of the total population, or 2,040–3,295).<ref name="iucnredlist1"/> |
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==Description== |
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Snow leopards are slightly smaller than the other [[big cats]] but, like them, exhibit a range of sizes, generally weighing between {{Convert|27|and|55|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, with an occasional large male reaching {{convert|75|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and small female of under {{convert|25|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>Boitani, Luigi, ''Simon & Schuster's Guide to Mammals''. Simon & Schuster/Touchstone Books (1984), ISBN 978-0-671-42805-1</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.science.smith.edu/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-020-01-0001.pdf|journal=Mammalian Species|title=''Uncia uncia''|author=Hemmer, Helmut|volume=20|pages=1–5|year=1972|doi=10.2307/3503882|issue=20}}</ref> They have a relatively short body, measuring in length from the head to the base of the tail {{Convert|75|to|130|cm|in|sigfig=1}}. However, the tail is quite long, at {{convert|80|to|100|cm|in|abbr=on}}, with only the [[house cat]]-sized [[Marbled Cat]] being relatively longer tailed.<ref name=WCoW>{{cite book|author=Sunquist, Mel|author2=Sunquist, Fiona|year=2002|title= Wild cats of the World |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location= Chicago |pages= 377–394|isbn= 0-226-77999-8}}</ref><ref name=Trust>{{cite web | work = Snow Leopard Trust | year = 2008 | url = http://www.snowleopard.org/external_files/media/Snow-Leopard-Fact-Sheet.pdf | title = Snow Leopard Fact Sheet | accessdate = 2008-10-23}}</ref> They are stocky and short-legged big cats, standing about 60 cm (24 in) at the shoulder.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20110103224354/http://www.snowleopard.org/catfactsclassroom/catfacts/physicalfeatures Physical Features]. snowleopard.org</ref> |
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Snow leopards have long thick fur, and their base colour varies from smoky gray to yellowish tan, with whitish underparts. They have dark grey to black open rosettes on their body with small spots of the same color on their heads and larger spots on their legs and tail. Unusually among cats, their eyes are pale green or grey in colour.<ref name=WCoW/><ref name=Trust/> |
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Snow leopards show several adaptations for living in a cold mountainous environment. Their bodies are stocky, their fur is thick, and their ears are small and rounded, all of which help to minimize heat loss. Their paws are wide, which distributes their weight better for walking on snow, and have fur on their undersides to increase their grip on steep and unstable surfaces; it also helps to minimize heat loss. Snow leopards' tails are long and flexible, helping them to maintain their balance, which is very important in the rocky terrain they inhabit. Their tails are also very thick due to storage of fats and are very thickly covered with fur which allows them to be used like a blanket to protect their faces when asleep.<ref name=Trust/><ref name=NatGeog>{{cite web | work = National Geographic | year = 2008 | url = http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/snow-leopard.html | title = Snow Leopard profile | accessdate = 2008-10-23}}</ref> |
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The snow leopard has a short muzzle and domed forehead, containing unusually large [[nasal cavity|nasal cavities]] that help the animal breathe the thin, cold air of their mountainous environment.<ref name=WCoW/> |
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The snow leopard cannot [[Roar (utterance)|roar]], despite possessing partial [[ossification]] of the [[hyoid bone]]. This partial ossification was previously thought to be essential for allowing the [[big cat]]s to roar, but new studies show that the ability to roar is due to other [[Morphology (biology)|morphological]] features, especially of the [[larynx]], which are absent in the snow leopard.<ref name="Walker">{{cite book | last = Nowak | first = Ronald M. | title = Walker's Mammals of the World | publisher = [[Johns Hopkins University Press]] | year = 1999 | isbn = 0-8018-5789-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last = Weissengruber | first = GE | coauthors = G Forstenpointner, G Peters, A Kübber-Heiss, and WT Fitch | title = Hyoid apparatus and pharynx in the lion (''Panthera leo''), jaguar (''Panthera onca''), tiger (''Panthera tigris''), cheetah (''Acinonyx jubatus'') and domestic cat (''Felis silvestris f. catus'') | work = Journal of Anatomy | publisher = Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland | pages=195–209 | year =2002 |month=September | doi =10.1046/j.1469-7580.2002.00088.x| pmc = 1570911 | volume = 201 | issue = 3 | journal = Journal of Anatomy | pmid = 12363272}}</ref> Snow leopard vocalizations include hisses, [[Prusten|chuffing]], mews, growls, and wailing. |
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==Naming and etymology== |
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[[File:Ounce1.jpg|thumb|Ounce]] |
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Both the [[Latin]]ised genus name, ''Uncia'', and the occasional [[English language|English]] name "ounce" are derived from the [[Old French]] ''once'', originally used for the [[European lynx]]. "''Once''" itself is believed to have arisen by [[back-formation]] from an earlier word "''lonce''" – the "L" of "''lonce''" was construed as an abbreviated "''le''" ("the"), leaving "''once''" to be perceived as the animal's name. This, like the English version "ounce", became used for other lynx-sized cats, and eventually for the snow-leopard.<ref>{{cite journal|page=214|url=http://www.archive.org/stream/publications23modeuoft#page/214/mode/1up|author=Allen, Edward A |title=English Doublets |volume=23 (new series 16)|year=1908|journal=Publications of the Modern Language Association of America}}</ref><ref name="OED">''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'', Oxford University Press. 1933: Ounce</ref> |
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The snow leopard is also known in its native lands as ''shan'' (Ladakhi), ''irves'' ({{lang-mn|ирвэс}}), ''waawrin prraang'' ({{lang-ps|واورين پړانګ}}), ''bars'' or ''barys'' ({{lang-kk|барыс}} {{IPA-kk|ˈbɑrəs|}}), ilbirs ([[Kyrgyz language|Kyrgyz]]: Илбирс ), ''Him Tendua'' ([[Sanskrit]], [[Hindi]]) and ''barfani chita'' برفانی چیتا – "snow cheetah" (Urdu). |
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According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the origin of the word [[panthera]] is unknown. A folk etymology derives the word from the Greek πάν pan- ("all") and thēr ("beast of prey") because they can hunt and kill almost everything. It has also been proposed that it comes ultimately into Greek from a Sanskrit word meaning "the yellowish animal" or "whitish-yellow".[3] The Greek word πάνθηρ, pánthēr, referred to all spotted [[Felidae]] generically. |
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==Taxonomy and evolution== |
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[[File:Snow leopard portrait-2010-07-09.jpg|thumb|right|Closeup of a male]] |
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The snow leopard was first described by Schreber in 1775, in the [[Kopet-Dag]] Mountains in [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Iran]]. |
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In the past, many [[taxonomist]]s included the snow leopard in the [[genus]] ''[[Panthera]]'', together with the other largest [[Extant taxon|extant]] [[felidae|felids]], but later it was placed in its own genus, ''Uncia''. It was thought not to be closely related to the [[Panthera]] or other extant big cats. However, recent molecular studies place the species firmly within the genus ''[[Panthera]]'', its closest relative being the [[tiger]] (''[[Panthera tigris]]'').<ref>{{cite journal |last=Davis|first=B.W.|title= Supermatrix and species tree methods resolve phylogenetic relationships within the big cats, Panthera (Carnivora: Felidae)|coauthors=Li G., Murphy W.J|journal=Molecular Phylogenetic Evolution|date= 2010 Jul|issue=56|pages=64–76|pmid= 20138224|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2010.01.036 |volume=56}}</ref><ref name="iucnredlist1"/> [[MSW3]] still refers to the snow leopard as Uncia uncia but the more recent [[IUCN]] classifies it as [[Panthera uncia]].<ref name="iucnredlist1"/><ref name=Johnson2006>{{cite journal |last= Johnson|first= W.E. |coauthors= Eizirik, E., Pecon-Slattery, J., Murphy, W.J., Antunes, A., Teeling, E. & O'Brien, S.J.|date= 6 January 2006|title= The Late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: A genetic assessment|journal= [[Science (journal)|Science]] |volume= 311|issue= 5757|pages= pp73–77|id= |url= http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/311/5757/73 |doi= 10.1126/science.1122277|accessdate=2008-10-24 |pmid= 16400146}}</ref> The Cat Classification Task Force, with the goal to propose on behalf of the Cat Specialist Group and the IUCN Red List Unit, and based on the best science and expert knowledge presently available, is currently working on an updated and practical classification of the [[Felidae]], including [[genera]], [[species]] and [[subspecies]] with the most likely distribution ranges of the respective [[taxa]].<ref>[http://www.catsg.org/catnews/20_cat-news-website/home/index_en.htm IUCN/SSC Cat News]. Catsg.org. Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref> |
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A few [[subspecies]] have been proposed for animals living in different geographical regions. With the possible exception of ''U. u. baikalensis-romanii'', which requires further evaluation, these subspecies were generally not considered valid.<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Wozencraft | pages = 548|id=14000269}}</ref> The [[Handbook of the Mammals of the World]] recognizes two subspecies: ''U. u. uncia'', from central Asia north-eastwards to Mongolia and Russia; and ''U. u. uncioides'' in western China and the Himalayas.<ref>Wilson DE, Mittermeier RA (eds) (2009) Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol. 1. Carnivores. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona</ref> |
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==Biology and behavior== |
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In summer, snow leopards usually live above the [[tree line]] on mountainous meadows and in rocky regions at an altitude from {{Convert|2700|to|6000|m|ft|abbr=on}}. In winter, snow leopards come down into the forests to an altitude of around {{Convert|1200|to|2000|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Snow leopards prefer broken terrain and can travel without difficulty in snow up to {{convert|85|cm|in}} deep, although snow leopards prefer to use existing trails made by other animals.<ref name=WCoW/> |
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The snow leopard leads a largely [[wikt:solitary|solitary]] life, although mothers may rear cubs in dens in the mountains for extended periods. |
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An individual snow leopard lives within a well-defined home range, but does not defend its territory aggressively when encroached upon by other snow leopards. Home ranges vary greatly in size. In Nepal, where prey is abundant, a home range may be as small as {{Convert|12|km2|sqmi|0|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} to {{Convert|40|km2|sqmi|0|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} and up to five to ten animals are found here per {{Convert|100|km2|sqmi|0|sigfig=1|abbr=on}}; whereas in habitats with sparse prey, an area of {{Convert|1000|km2|sqmi|0|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} supports only five of these cats.<ref name="Walker"/> |
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Like other cats, snow leopards use [[scent mark]]s to indicate their territory and common travel routes. These are most commonly produced by scraping the ground with the hind feet before depositing [[urine]] or [[feces|scat]], but they also [[spraying (animal behavior)|spray urine]] onto sheltered patches of rock.<ref name=WCoW/> |
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Snow leopards are [[crepuscular]], being most active at dawn and dusk.<ref name=Trust/> They are known for being extremely secretive and well camouflaged. |
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===Hunting and diet=== |
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[[File:Snow Leopard -Taronga Zoo-8a.jpg|right|thumb|Showing teeth at [[Taronga Zoo]], Australia]] |
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Snow leopards are [[carnivore]]s and actively [[Hunting|hunt]] their prey. Like many cats, they are also opportunistic feeders, eating whatever meat they can find, including [[carrion]] and domestic livestock. They can kill animals more than three to four times their own weight, such as the [[Bharal]], [[Himalayan Tahr]], [[Markhor]] and [[Argali]], but will readily take much smaller prey such as [[hare]]s and [[bird]]s.<ref name=NatGeog/> They are capable of killing most animals in their range with the probable exception of the adult male [[Yak]]. Unusually among cats, snow leopards also eat a significant amount of vegetation, including grass and twigs.<ref name=WCoW/> |
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The diet of the snow leopard varies across its range and with the time of year, and depends on [[prey]] availability. In the [[Himalayas]], it preys mostly on [[bharal]]s (Himalayan blue sheep) but in other mountain ranges such as the [[Karakoram]], [[Tian Shan]], [[Altai mountains|Altai]] and Tost Mountains of Mongolia, its main prey consists of [[Siberian ibex]] and [[argali]], a type of wild sheep, although this has become rarer in some parts of the snow leopard's range.<ref name=Trust/><ref name=SLCHandbook3>{{cite web |url= http://www.snowleopardconservancy.org/pdf/SL_Survey_Cons_Handbook_Part_3.pdf |title= Snow Leopard Survey and Conservation Handbook Part III |accessdate= 2009-03-14 |author= Jackson, Rodney |coauthors= Hunter, Don O. |year= 1996 |format= PDF |work= Snow Leopard Survey and Conservation Handbook |publisher= International Snow Leopard Trust & U.S. Geological Survey |location= Seattle, Washington, & Fort Collins Science Center, Colorado, US |page= 66 }}</ref><ref name= Plosone>{{cite journal|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0032104|title=Prey Preference of Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) in South Gobi, Mongolia|year=2012|editor1-last=Desalle|editor1-first=Robert|last1=Shehzad|first1=Wasim|last2=McCarthy|first2=Thomas Michael|last3=Pompanon|first3=Francois|last4=Purevjav|first4=Lkhagvajav|last5=Coissac|first5=Eric|last6=Riaz|first6=Tiayyba|last7=Taberlet|first7=Pierre|journal=PLoS ONE|volume=7|issue=2|pages=e32104|pmid=22393381|pmc=3290533}}</ref> Other large animals eaten when available can include various types of wild goats and sheep (such as [[markhor]]s and [[urial]]s), other goat-like [[ruminant]]s such as [[Himalayan tahr]] and [[goral]]s, plus [[deer]], [[wild boar]]s, and [[langur monkey]]s. Smaller prey consists of [[marmot]]s, [[woolly hare]]s, [[pika]]s, various [[rodent]]s, and birds such as the [[snow cock]] and [[chukar]].<ref name=Trust/><ref name=NatGeog/><ref name=SLCHandbook3/><ref name="Conservation in Nepal">{{cite web |url= http://www.snowleopardnetwork.org/bibliography/dscs92.pdf |title= ''Conservation of the Snow Leopard in Nepal |accessdate= 2009-03-14 |year= 2004 |format= PDF |publisher= The Snow Leopard Network |location= Seattle, US |page= 2 }}</ref> |
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Considerable predation of domestic [[livestock]] occurs<ref name="iucnredlist1"/> which brings it into direct conflict with humans. However, even in Mongolia, where wild prey has been reduced and interactions with humans are common, domestic stock (mainly [[domestic sheep]]) comprise less than 20% of the diet of species, with wild prey being taken whenever possible.<ref name= Plosone/> Herders will kill snow leopards to prevent them from taking their animals.<ref name=NatGeog/> The loss of prey animals due to over grazing by domestic livestock, poaching and defense of livestock are the major drivers for the decreasing population of the snow leopard. The snow leopard has not been reported to attack humans, and appear to be the least aggressive to humans of all big cats. As a result, they are easily driven away from livestock; they readily abandon their kills when threatened and may not even defend themselves when attacked.<ref name=WCoW/> |
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Snow leopards prefer to [[ambush]] prey from above, using broken terrain to conceal their approach. They will actively pursue prey down steep mountainsides, using the momentum of their initial leap to chase animals for up to {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}}. They kill with a bite to the neck, and may drag the prey to a safe location before feeding. They consume all edible parts of the carcass, and can survive on a single [[bharal]] for two weeks before hunting again. Annual prey needs appears to be 20–30 adult blue sheep.<ref name=WCoW/><ref name="iucnredlist1"/> |
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===Reproduction and life cycle=== |
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[[File:SnowCubs01.jpg|right|thumb|Cubs at the Cat Survival Trust, [[Welwyn]], UK]] |
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Snow leopards are unusual among large cats in that they have a well-defined birth peak. They usually [[mating|mate]] in late winter, marked by a noticeable increase in marking and calling. Snow leopards have a [[gestation period]] of 90–100 days, so that the cubs are born between April and June. [[Oestrus]] typically lasts from five to eight days, and males tend not to seek out another partner after mating, probably because the short mating season does not allow sufficient time. Paired snow leopards mate in [[Lordosis behavior|the usual felid posture]], from 12 to 36 times a day.<ref name=WCoW/> |
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The mother gives birth in a rocky den or crevice lined with fur shed from her underside. [[Litter (animal)|Litter]] sizes vary from one to five [[List of animal names|cub]]s, but the average is 2.2. The cubs are blind and helpless at birth, although already with a thick coat of fur, and weigh from {{convert|320|to|567|g|oz}}. The eyes open at around seven days, and the cubs can walk at five weeks and are fully weaned by 10 weeks.<ref name=WCoW/> Also when they are born they have full black spots and turn into rosettes as they grow to adolescence.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} |
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The cubs leave the den at around two to four months of age, but remain with their mother until they become independent after around 18–22 months. Once independent, they may disperse over considerable distances, even crossing wide expanses of flat terrain to seek out new hunting grounds. This likely helps reduce the inbreeding that would otherwise be common in their relatively isolated environment. Snow leopards become sexually mature at two to three years, and normally live for 15–18 years, although in captivity they can live for up to 21 years.<ref name=WCoW/> |
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==Ecology== |
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===Distribution=== |
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[[File:Snow Leopard at the Toronto Zoo.jpg|thumb|right|Snow leopard at the [[Toronto Zoo]]]] |
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The snow leopard is currently restricted to [[Asia]] in [[Bhutan]], [[China]], [[India]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Nepal]], [[Pakistan]], [[Russia]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], <ref name="carnivoreconservation1"/><ref name="iucnredlist1"/> and possibly also to [[Myanmar]].<ref>[http://snowleopardconservancy.org/text/how/range.htm A Map of the Snow Leopard’s Range]</ref> |
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Its geographic distribution runs from the [[Hindu Kush]] in eastern Afghanistan and the [[Syr Darya]] through the mountains of [[Pamir Mountains]], [[Tian Shan]], [[Karakoram]], [[Kashmir]], [[Kunlun Mountains|Kunlun]], and the [[Himalaya]] to southern [[Siberia]], where the range covers the Russian [[Altai mountains]], [[Sayan Mountains|Sayan]], [[Tannu-Ola mountains]] and the mountains to the west of [[Lake Baikal]]. In [[Mongolia]], it is found in the Mongolian and Gobi Altai and the [[Khangai Mountains]]. In [[Tibet]] it is found up to the [[Altyn-Tagh]] in the north.<ref name=Trust/><ref name=NatGeog>{{cite web | work = National Geographic | year = 2008 | url = http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/snow-leopards/chadwick-text/1 | title = Out of the Shadows By Douglas H. Chadwick | accessdate = 2010-01-29}}</ref><ref>Mammals of the Soviet Union. Vol III: Carnivores (Feloidea).</ref> |
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==Conservation status== |
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There are numerous agencies working to conserve the snow leopard and its threatened mountain ecosystems. These include the [[Snow Leopard Trust]], the [[Snow Leopard Conservancy]], the Snow Leopard Network, the Cat Specialist Group and the [[Panthera Corporation]]. These groups and numerous national governments from the snow leopard’s range, non-profits and donors from around the world recently worked together at the 10th International Snow Leopard Conference in Beijing. Their focus on research, community programs in snow leopard regions and education programs are aimed at understanding the cat's needs as well as the needs of the villagers and herder communities affecting snow leopards' lives and habitat.<ref>Theile, Stephanie [http://www.wwf.de/fileadmin/fm-wwf/pdf_neu/report_schneeleopard_03.pdf "Fading footprints; the killing and trade of snow leopards"]. TRAFFIC International, 2003 ISBN 1858502012</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2009/s2562298.htm "Cats in the Clouds"], Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2009-05-06). Retrieved 27 June 2009.</ref> |
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===Population and protected areas=== |
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[[File:Léopard des neiges 14081.jpg|thumb|Snow leopard at [[zoo d'Amnéville]], France, showing the thickly furred tail]] |
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[[File:Schneeleopard P1040242.jpg|thumb|Snow leopard]] |
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The total ''wild'' population of the snow leopard was estimated at only 4,080 to 6,590 individuals by McCarthy, et al., 2003 (see table below). Many of these estimates are rough and outdated.<ref name="iucn">{{IUCN2008|assessors=Jackson, R., Mallon, D., McCarthy, T., Chundaway, R.A. & Habib, B.|year=2008|id=22732|title=Panthera uncia|downloaded=9 October 2008}}</ref> |
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In 1972, the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN) placed the snow leopard on its [[IUCN Red List|Red List of Threatened Species]] as globally "Endangered"; the same threat category was applied in the assessment conducted in 2008. |
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There are also 600–700 snow leopards in zoos around the world.<ref name=sltrust>{{cite web | work = Snow Leopard Trust | year = 2008 | url = http://www.snowleopard.org/catfactsclassroom/catfacts/population/document_view | title = Population and Protections | accessdate = 2008-07-03}}</ref> |
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{| class=wikitable |
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|- valign=bottom |
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! Range Country !! Habitat Area<br>(km<sup>2</sup>.) !! Estimated<br>Population<ref name=iucn/> |
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|- |
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| Afghanistan || 50,000 || 100–200? |
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|- |
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| Bhutan || 15,000 || 100–200? |
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|- |
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| China || 1,100,000 || 2,000–2,500 |
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|- |
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| India || 75,000 || 200–600 |
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|- |
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| Kazakhstan || 50,000 || 180–200 |
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|- |
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| Kyrgyzstan || 105,000|| 150–500 |
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|- |
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| Mongolia || 101,000 || 500–1,000 |
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|- |
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| Nepal || 30,000 || 300–500 |
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|- |
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| Pakistan || 80,000 || 200–420 |
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|- |
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| Tajikistan || 100,000 || 180–220 |
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|- |
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| Uzbekistan || 10,000|| 20–50 |
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|} |
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[[File:Lightmatter snowleopard.jpg|thumb|Snow leopard in the [[San Diego Zoo]]]] |
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'''Protected areas:''' |
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* [[Chitral National Park]], in the [[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]], Pakistan. |
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* [[Hemis National Park]], in [[Ladakh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]], India. |
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* [[Khunjerab National Park]], [[Gilgit-Baltistan]], Pakistan. |
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* [[Nanda Devi National Park]], in state of [[Uttarakhand]], India, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.<ref>UNESCO World Heritage Centre [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/335 Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks. Brief Description]. Retrieved 27 November 2006.</ref> |
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* [[Qomolangma National Nature Preserve]], [[Tibet]], China.<ref name=qomolangma>Snow Leopard Conservancy. 2006. [http://www.snowleopardconservancy.org/conservation5.htm ''Training park managers in the conservation of snow leopards'']. Retrieved 27 November 2006.</ref> |
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* [[Sagarmatha National Park]], Nepal, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.<ref>UNESCO World Heritage Center. [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/120 Sagarmatha National Park: Brief Description]. Retrieved 27 November 2006.</ref> |
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* [[Tumor Feng Nature Reserve]], western [[Tianshan Mountains]], [[Xinjiang]], China.<ref>Ma Ming, Snow Leopard Network (2005). [http://web.archive.org/web/20070223174152/http://www.snowleopardnetwork.org/docs_news/SLNnews2136.htm ''Camera Trapping of Snow Leopards in the Muzat Valley'']. Retrieved 27 November 2006.</ref> |
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* [[Valley of Flowers|Valley of Flowers National Park]], Uttarakhand, India, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. |
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* [[Shey-Phoksundo National Park]], [[Dolpa]], Nepal. |
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* [[Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve]], [[Baglung]], Nepal. |
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* [[Annapurna Conservation Area]], Western Nepal. |
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* [[Jigme Dorji National Park]], Bhutan |
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* [[Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park]], Mongolia |
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* [[Ubsunur Hollow]], on the territorial border of [[Mongolia]] and the [[Tuva|Republic of Tuva]], [[Russia]] |
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* [[Anini#Dibang Wild Life Sanctuary|Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary]], near [[Anini]], India |
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* [[Aksu-Djabagly Nature Reserve]], Kazakhstan |
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* [[Sarychat-Ertash State Nature Reserve]], Kyrgyzstan |
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* [[Katun Nature Reserve]], Russia |
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* [[Kibber|Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Lahaul & Spiti|Lahaul Spiti]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]] |
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* [[Pin Valley National Park]], [[Lahaul & Spiti|Lahaul Spiti]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]] |
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* [[Great Himalayan National Park]], [[Kullu District|Kullu]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]] |
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Snow Leopard is the [[List of Indian state animals|State Animal]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]] a north [[India]]n State in the Western [[Himalayas]]. |
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Much progress has been made in securing the survival of the Snow Leopard, with Snow Leopards being successfully bred in captivity. The animals usually give birth to two to three cubs in a litter, but can give birth to up to seven in some cases. |
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A "surprisingly healthy" population of Snow Leopards has been found living at 16 locations in the isolated [[Wakhan Corridor]] in northeastern Afghanistan giving rise to hopes for survival of wild Snow Leopards in that region.<ref>Ben Farmer (2011-07-15). [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8640161/Snow-leopards-found-in-Afghanistan.html "Snow Leopards found in Afghanistan."] ''The Telegraph''.</ref> |
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==Relationships with humans== |
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===Snow leopard in film and television=== |
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The first documentary on snow leopards was made by Hugh Miles, named ''Silent Roar – In Search of the Snow Leopard''. |
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''[[Planet Earth (TV series)|Planet Earth]]'' has a segment on snow leopards. The series took some of the first video of snow leopards in the wild and also featured a snow leopard hunting a [[markhor]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/02_february/01/earth_firsts.shtml Press Office – Planet Earth firsts]. BBC (2006-02-01). Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref> |
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Nisar Malik, a Pakistani journalist, and cameraman Mark Smith (who had worked on the Planet Earth segment) spent a further 18 months filming snow leopards in the [[Hindu Kush]] for the [[BBC]] film ''Snow Leopard – Beyond the Myth.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008mcdq BBC Two – Natural World, 2007–2008, Snow Leopard- Beyond the Myth]. Bbc.co.uk (2008-09-23). Retrieved on 2012-08-23.</ref> |
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===Snow leopard in heraldry=== |
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Snow leopards have symbolic meaning for Turkic people of Central Asia, where the animal is known as ''irbis'' or ''bars'', so it is widely used in heraldry and as an emblem. |
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The snow leopard (in [[heraldry]] known 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 [[Aq Bars|winged snow leopard]] is found on [[Tatarstan]]'s [[coat of arms of Tatarstan|coat of arms]]. A similar leopard is featured on 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. In addition, the snow leopard is the symbol of the [[Scouting in Kyrgyzstan#Kyrgyzstan Girl Scouts Association|Girl Scout Association of Kyrgyzstan]]. |
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<gallery perrow="5"> |
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File:SnowLeopard10000KZT.jpg|Snow leopard on the reverse of the old 10000 [[tenge]] ([[Kazakhstan]]) banknote |
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File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Tatarstan.svg|''Aq Bars'' is the coat of arms of [[Tatarstan]]. It is an ancient [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] and [[Bulgars|Bulgar]] symbol translated as "white leopard" or "snow leopard". |
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File:Coat of arms of Almaty.svg|Symbol of [[Almaty]], [[Kazakhstan]] |
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File:Old coat of arms of Astana.svg|Symbol (old coat of arms) of [[Astana]], the capital of [[Kazakhstan]] |
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File:Coat of arms of Bishkek Kyrgyzstan.svg|Symbol of [[Bishkek]], the capital of [[Kyrgyzstan]] |
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File:Coat of Arms of Shushensky rayon (Krasnoayarsk krai).png|Coat of arms of [[Shushensky District]], [[Krasnoyarsk Krai]] |
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File:Kyrgyzstan Girl Scouts Association.png|Membership badge of the [[Kyrgyzstan Skaut-Kyzdar Assotsiatsiyasy|Girl Scout Association of Kyrgyzstan]] |
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File:Coat of arms of Samarkand.svg|Seal of City of [[Samarqand]], [[Uzbekistan]] |
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</gallery> |
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==References== |
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<!-- If not explicitly said, all URLs accessed prior to March 27, 2006. --> |
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{{reflist|35em}} |
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<!-- Please inline these references: |
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* Janczewski, Dianne N., William S. Modi, J. Claiborne Stephens, and Stephen J. O'Brien. 1995. [http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/12/4/690 Molecular Evolution of Mitochondrial 12S RNA and Cytochrome b Sequences in the Pantherine Lineage of Felidae]. ''Molecular Biology and Evolution'' '''12'''(4):690–707. |
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* Theile, Stephanie. 2003. [http://assets.panda.org/downloads/trafficsnowleopardreportaugust2003.pdf ''Fading Footprints: The Killing and Trade of Snow Leopards'']. TRAFFIC International. ISBN 1-85850-201-2. |
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--> |
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==External links== |
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{{Commons|Panthera uncia}} |
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{{wikispecies|Panthera uncia}} |
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<!---- |
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BEFORE adding links here please make sure you've understood Wikipedia's policy on external links, [[Wikipedia:External links]] |
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-----> |
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* [http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/snow-leopards/winter-photography Snow leopard photo gallery at National Geographic] |
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* ARKive – [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Panthera_uncia/ images and movies of the Snow leopard ''(Uncia uncia)''] |
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* [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/snowleopard/index.html PBS Nature: ''Silent Roar: Searching for the Snow Leopard''] |
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* [http://www.snowleopardnetwork.org Snow Leopard Network] |
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* [http://www.snowleopard.org/ Snow Leopard Trust] |
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* [http://www.snowleopardconservancy.org/ Snow Leopard Conservancy] ([http://www.snowleopardconservancy.org/pics/rangemap.jpg detailed range map]) |
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* [http://www.agarman.dial.pipex.com/snowlep.htm Snow Leopard profile] |
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* [http://www.wildnet.org/snowleopard.htm/ Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN)] |
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* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/Snow_Leopard Video footage from the BBC including a Snow Leopard hunt] |
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* [http://panda.org/species/snowleopard WWF snow leopard species profile] |
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{{Carnivora|Fe.}} |
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[[Category:Pantherinae]] |
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[[Category:Mammals of India|Leopard, Snow]] |
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[[Category:Big cats of India|Leopard, Snow]] |
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[[Category:Mammals of Pakistan|Leopard, Snow]] |
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[[Category:Fauna of Jammu and Kashmir]] |
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[[Category:Mammals of China|Leopard, Snow]] |
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[[Category:Mammals of Asia|Leopard, Snow]] |
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[[Category:National symbols of Pakistan]] |
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[[Category:Fauna of Pakistan]] |
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[[Category:Fauna of Central Asia]] |
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[[Category:Fauna of East Asia]] |
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[[Category:Snow|Leopard]] |
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[[Category:Monotypic mammal genera]] |
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[[Category:Animals described in 1775]] |
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{{Link GA|de}} |
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{{Link FA|ru}} |
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{{Link FA|de}} |
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{{Link FA|zh}} |
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[[af:Sneeuluiperd]] |
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[[ar:نمر الثلوج]] |
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[[av:Ирбис]] |
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[[az:Qar bəbiri]] |
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[[zh-min-nan:Seh-pà]] |
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[[ba:Барыс]] |
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[[bg:Барс]] |
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[[bo:གསའ་གཟིག]] |
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[[br:Loupard an erc'h]] |
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[[ca:Lleopard de les neus]] |
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[[cs:Irbis]] |
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[[da:Sneleopard]] |
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[[de:Schneeleopard]] |
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[[nv:Náshdóíłgaii łikizhígíí]] |
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[[et:Lumeleopard]] |
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[[es:Panthera uncia]] |
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[[eo:Neĝleopardo]] |
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[[eu:Elur-pantera]] |
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[[fa:پلنگ برفی]] |
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[[fr:Once (félin)]] |
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[[ga:Liopard sneachta]] |
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[[gd:Leopard-sneachda]] |
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[[gn:Jaguaretetĩ]] |
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[[ko:눈표범]] |
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[[hi:हिम तेन्दुआ]] |
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[[hr:Snježni leopard]] |
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[[io:Unco]] |
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[[id:Macan Tutul Salju]] |
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[[os:Фыранк]] |
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[[it:Panthera uncia]] |
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[[he:נמר שלג מצוי]] |
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[[kn:ಹಿಮ ಚಿರತೆ]] |
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[[ka:ირბისი]] |
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[[kk:Барыс (жануар)]] |
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[[sw:Chui-theluji]] |
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[[ky:Илбирс]] |
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[[lez:Перленг]] |
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[[ltg:Snīga leopards]] |
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[[la:Uncia uncia]] |
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[[lv:Sniega leopards]] |
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[[lt:Irbis]] |
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[[hu:Hópárduc]] |
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[[mk:Снежен леопард]] |
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[[mr:हिमबिबट्या]] |
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[[mn:Ирвэс]] |
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[[my:နှင်းကျားသစ်]] |
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[[nl:Sneeuwpanter]] |
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[[ne:हिउँ चितुवा]] |
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[[ja:ユキヒョウ]] |
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[[no:Snøleopard]] |
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[[nn:Snøleopard]] |
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[[mhr:Ирбис]] |
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[[pnb:برفانی چیتا]] |
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[[pl:Irbis]] |
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[[pt:Leopardo-das-neves]] |
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[[ro:Leopardul zăpezilor]] |
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[[ru:Ирбис]] |
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[[sah:Баарыс]] |
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[[simple:Snow Leopard]] |
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[[sk:Leopard snežný]] |
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[[sr:Снежни леопард]] |
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[[fi:Lumileopardi]] |
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[[sv:Snöleopard]] |
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[[ta:பனிச்சிறுத்தை]] |
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[[te:మంచు చిరుత]] |
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[[th:เสือดาวหิมะ]] |
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[[tr:Kar parsı]] |
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[[udm:Ирбис]] |
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[[uk:Барс сніговий]] |
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[[ug:يىلپىز]] |
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[[vi:Báo tuyết]] |
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[[zh-classical:雪豹]] |
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[[yi:שניי לעמפערט]] |
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[[zh-yue:雪豹]] |
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[[zh:雪豹]] |
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Revision as of 21:28, 28 December 2012
ok so i went to a school in soweto and i did a sevea there ... i asked the kids to use ther word i say in a sentence, i said "mushroom' the child responds, "everyday wen daddi fetch meh frome skool in the imoto he says move up theres mushroom..'