12/07/2021
Snow leopards are one of the world's most elusive and least understood big cats, nick named as Ghosts of the Mountains. Majorly found in the core of Himalayas. They have densest fur of all the cats, having about 25000 hair per square inch. These hair help them survive the extreme cold. They have longest and thickest tails of all the big cats, which can grow up to 90% as long as their bodies. The tail acts as a balancing tool and balances them when they chase nimble and agile prey down the mountain cliffs. They are Crepuscular creatures, i.e., they are more active hunters during the twilight.
One might think that Snow leopards are directly related to the normal leopards, but the fact is that they share common ancestors with tigers.
According to International Union for Conservation of Nature snow leopards are listed as vulnerable to extinction, due to shrinkage of natural habitat and reducing number of their prey, caused by human invasion.