- By Ridam Sharma
- Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:16 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Lesser-Known Facts About Snow Leopard: The International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated annually on October 23rd, as established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024. The objective of the day is to remind the world to make significant efforts to conserve these big cats, given their crucial contribution to the overall ecosystem and challenges faced by them habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. The scientific name of the snow leopard is Panthera uncia. They are regarded as one of the most elusive and largest cats in the world. To your surprise, snow leopards are also popularly known as the Ghost of the Mountains.’
This is due to its habitat in the mountainous regions of Central Asia at high altitude, where it adapts and survives in subfreezing and harsh environments. To know more such fun facts about the snow leopard, here is a list of more than 20 lesser-known facts about it, according to the WorldWildlifeFund.org, that are perfect to know on the occasion of International Snow Leopard Day 2025.
List Of 20+ Lesser-Known Facts About Snow Leopard:
1. Despite the name, snow leopards are more genetically close to tigers than to leopards.
2. Snow Leopards live in the highest altitude places, reaching 3,000-4,500m.
3. Their white-grayish, thick fur can grow up to 5cm in length on the back and sides and 12 cm on the belly, providing them with insulation.
4. These cats are unable to roar like the other large cats because of their special throat structure.
5. Their tails, reaching 105 cm in length, give balance and warmth.
6. Snow leopards possess enormous paws that serve as natural snowshoes.
7. They can jump almost 30 feet at a single leap.
8. Solitary wanderers, they usually travel alone unless it's mating or motherhood.
9. Females raise cubs single-handedly for 18 to 22 months before they are independent.
10. Crepuscular, but they are active primarily during dawn and dusk.
11. Their prey reaches up to three times their body weight.
12. They use stealth and camouflage to hunt since they match rock and snow surfaces perfectly.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Endangered Species In India: Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Ganges River Dolphin And More
13. These cats use scent markings or ground scrapes to communicate.
14. Blue sheep (bharal) are one of their favourite prey, but they also attack marmots and ibex.
15. They're very gentle and hardly ever attack humans.
16. Snow leopards' home ranges can extend as far as 1,000 square kilometres.
17. Their number is estimated between 3,900 and 6,390 individuals in the wild.
18. They live in 12 countries, including India, Nepal, and China.
19. More than 70 per cent of their habitat is still unexplored by scientists.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cats In The World | Black-Footed Cat, Tiger, Lion And More
20. Locals in Asia also have special names for them, such as "barfānī chītā" in Hindi.
21. The gestation period in the female snow leopards is approximately 100 days, and they give birth within rocky dens.
22. Being a top predator, they maintain ecological balance in mountain ecosystems.
The above-mentioned lesser-known facts about the snow leopard showcase their wildness and toughness, which is perfect for animals living in high-altitude mountains. These snow leopards are not just wild big cats; they are ecologically valuable beings and are irreplaceable in the biodiversity. Conservation of this agile cat involves firm actions across the globe.
