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A snow leopard cub (Panthera uncia) at the Toronto Zoo explores its enclosure, leaving nothing undiscovered.
Cats have evolved all sorts of amazing abilities and traits, including camouflage. Snow leopards are no exception: their gray, spotted fur allows them to blend into the mountainous terrain they call home. Such camouflage is crucial for a successful hunt as snow leopards are ambush predators and must sneak up close to their prey (mountain ungulates like goats and ibex) before launching an attack. Failure to get close enough ensures an empty belly as snow leopards are not capable of running for long distances or for long periods of time. Camouflage can also help protect cubs like this one from predators.
With so many threats, including those from humans, snow leopards need all the advantages they can get.
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Snow leopards are found in mountainous central Asia, also called "the roof of the world". They are acclimated for some of the harshest terrain and climate in the world and are extremely elusive. Sadly, snow leopards are not elusive enough to escape the hand of man. They are an endangered species and there may be as few as 3,000 left in the wild with populations decreasing. Individuals are often the victims of revenge killing after taking village livestock, poaching for their bones and skin, prey depletion and habitat loss.
Please visit http://www.snowleopard.org for more information on snow leopards and how you can help.
Cats have evolved all sorts of amazing abilities and traits, including camouflage. Snow leopards are no exception: their gray, spotted fur allows them to blend into the mountainous terrain they call home. Such camouflage is crucial for a successful hunt as snow leopards are ambush predators and must sneak up close to their prey (mountain ungulates like goats and ibex) before launching an attack. Failure to get close enough ensures an empty belly as snow leopards are not capable of running for long distances or for long periods of time. Camouflage can also help protect cubs like this one from predators.
With so many threats, including those from humans, snow leopards need all the advantages they can get.
---
Snow leopards are found in mountainous central Asia, also called "the roof of the world". They are acclimated for some of the harshest terrain and climate in the world and are extremely elusive. Sadly, snow leopards are not elusive enough to escape the hand of man. They are an endangered species and there may be as few as 3,000 left in the wild with populations decreasing. Individuals are often the victims of revenge killing after taking village livestock, poaching for their bones and skin, prey depletion and habitat loss.
Please visit http://www.snowleopard.org for more information on snow leopards and how you can help.
Category Photography / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Leopard
Size 800 x 615px
File Size 424.3 kB
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