This has got to be the cutest cat picture yet. Look at the cub poking his head out from between his mother's legs!
Snow Leopard, or Ounce, with cubs. (Uncia Uncia)
Once thought to be a subspecies of the leopard, it is now known that the Snow Leopard is in fact, a seperate species entirely. It lives in central Asia, in the steep, cold mountainous regions.
It has short forelimbs and long hind limbs to provide increased agility in the steep mountains. Its large paws act as snowshoes, and its long, thick furry tail, which is almost a meter in length, aids in balancing, and is used to wrap around the body and face. It also has a well-developed chest and large nasal cavity, because of the cold, thin air of the high altitudes they live in.
Snow leopards show a strong preference for cliffy habitat with moderately to very broken terrain, rocky outcrops and ravines, as opposed to open smooth slopes and densely forested areas
Snow leopards will take livestock (such as sheep, goats, horses, or young yaks) when their natural prey becomes unavailable due to competition with livestock, hunting/poaching, or other causes.
These cats eat slowly and remain on the kill for several days, protecting it from scavengers such as vultures or ravens until all meat is consumed.
In some areas, notable amounts of plant material are consumed, particularly during mating season perhaps to meet specific nutritional needs.
(information from
www.snowleopard.org)
Hybrid Mode
