Friday, November 13, 2020

SNOW LEOPARD AND TIGER AT THE WOODSON ZOO IN SEATTLE - AUGUST 2010

These are a few photographs we took at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, in August 2010, in the Big Cat area.  I thought it so beautiful and for a hot summer's day, seemed very relaxed. In their own natural environment they are well adapted to their cold environment.  They can be found in the mountains of Central Asia, and its habitat extends through twelve countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.  Not sure how up-to-date this information is but the article I read said there are only between 3,390 and 6,390 snow leopards left in the wild.
They are medium-sized cats.  This means that they will be around 24 inches (61 centimeters) at the shoulder, and between 39 to 50 inches (99 to 129 centimeters) from the nose to the base of the tale.  A snow leopard will weigh between 60 and 120 lbs. (27 to 55 kilograms).  Their fur keeps them well insulated in cold weather.  It is nearly five inches long on their stomach, shorter on their back and sides.  It has short forelimbs, long hind limbs and a thick tail 31 to 39 inches long (around 89 centimeters).  The tail aids in balance and they also wrap their tails around themselves for added warmth.  
Interesting Facts about Snow Leopards

They are often called the "ghosts of the mountain" because they are so rarely seen and spend most of their lives in solitude.

They can't roar.  Instead they growl, yowl, mew and prusten (also called chuffing, a non-threatening vocalization made by blowing air through their nose).

A study recorded snow leopards living at the highest altitudes ever documented for big cats - 5,859 meters (about three miles) above sea level - about the same height as Canada's highest mountain.

Their thick, massive tails, which shield them from the harsh weather and help maintain balance, are almost as long as their entire body.

They can prey on animals up to three times their own body weight.

Their paws will be larger than an African leopards, or a cougars.  Their wide feet act like snow shoes.

Their fur varies from white to cream to pale yellow or grey, sprinkled with rosettes (open spots) of charcoal-grey to black.  In the wild they blend perfectly with the rocky slopes where they hunt.  Each snow leopard has a unique spot pattern, its own personal ID.

The snow leopard's tail is its most distinctive physical feature.  It is thickly furred and that makes it possible for them to use their tails as a kind of a muffler, wrapping it around their bodies for extra warmth (as mentioned above).  The long tail is also useful for maintaining balance in the steep, rocky terrain that snow leopards like.
There is a very interesting YouTube on this beautiful animal at this link.  And another here.

I enjoyed learning more about the amazingly beautiful Snow Leopard.  I hope you have too.  I will never see one in the wild (hopefully in my next lifetime if the world can keep them going).  I still consider it to have been an incredible gift and am so grateful that I actually saw one with my own eyes.





33 comments:

  1. Gorgeous pictures of this beautiful beast! Just awhile ago, we saw a nature show with a Snow Leopard dragging a huge deer of some kind up the mountain.

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    1. Thank you Ginny. I have been watching a lot of YouTubes about them lately. I also remember a scene from the Walter Mitty movie with Ben Stiller. There was one scene where he was watching a Snow Leopard with a photographer he went on a search for. Always remember that scene :)

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  2. Wow that was interesting. Those paws sure are big.

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    1. I agree, they really stood out for me those paws. Thanks Diane :)

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  3. Such beautiful animals - and your photos are superb.

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  4. Hello Denise,
    Great post and info on the Snow Leopard. They are beautiful, great photos!
    Take care, have a happy Friday and a great weekend!

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    1. Hello Eileen, happy you enjoyed my post, thank you so much! I wish you the same :)

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  5. So gorgeous! I just recently read the Cheetahs meow too, I'd always assumed all big cats would roar. Makes them even more endearing to know the meow like domestic cats!

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    1. Thank you Martha, that's so interesting about the Cheetahs. Thanks for sharing that.

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  6. They are well adapted to their habitat.

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  7. Absolutely amazing photos of these gorgeous animals. By reading their sizes it seems like they are about the size of our Beau. You sure did a great job of capturing these cats I can't even pick a favorite because they're all absolutely gorgeous

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    1. I found it interesting about their size. Thanks so much Sandra :)

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  8. A lovely post and fabulous photographs.

    Happy Friday and weekend wishes.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks Jan, happy you enjoyed them. I hope your weekend was a great one. Enjoy your week. All the best to you also :)

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  9. Hadn't even thought of the snow leopard and how interesting they are. Beautful creature and wonderful photos along with what you have written..

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    1. Thank you Margaret, I am happy you enjoyed my post about this beautiful animal :)

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  10. Hi Denise, Wonderful series of images of the Snow Leopard, an amazing hardy creature living in such harsh conditions, we in the UK are at the moment having television adverts from the W.W. fund for nature raising money for the protection of these beautiful animals, lovely interesting post.
    You and yours stay safe in these times.
    John

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    1. How interesting John, I haven't seen any advertisements like this yet. Perhaps I will soon. You and yours stay safe also :)

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  11. They are beautiful and so interesting to know all these facts. That tail! ... I would want that extra warmth if I lived where they do! I always appreciate the research you do, it takes your posts way above and beyond ordinary photo blogs.

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    1. Thank you for the sweet comments Sallie, I really appreciate them :)

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  12. Dziękuję bardzo! Cieszę się, że podobał Ci się ten piękny lampart śnieżny :)

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  13. Oh, my, they are so beautiful. That photo shows how big his/her feet are. Roger always says this is one of his favorites. They are all my favorite, with wishing I could pet a cheetah just once in my life.

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    1. I know the feeling Rose :) Such a beautiful animal, cheetahs too :)

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