Nature reserves are helping the big cat flourish in its core distribution areas across China. Efforts to protect snow leopards have yielded notable successes, as evidenced by frequent documentation of the animal’s activities.

By Jorge Cortes | Li Hongyang
China Daily Graphics
Updated: 2023-11-09



The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the snow leopard as a “vulnerable” species. China is home to about 4,500 snow leopards, accounting for more than half the global population.

ANATOMY

The snow leopard has a relatively small head, with a short, broad nose.

The snow leopard has a long, thick tail, which is basically the same length as its body.

LONG JUMP

Their legs are powerful, meaning the snow leopard can jump as far as 15 meters.

GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD

China is the animal’s key habitat, comprising about 1.1 million square kilometers. The natural habitat is mountain chains (2,000 m to 5,000 m high).

PREY POPULATION CONTROL

As apex predators in their own habitat, snow leopards regulate the size of their prey population through hunting, ensuring that lower species in the food chain are maintained at appropriate levels. This helps maintain a relative balance among species within the ecosystem.

NOCTURNAL ADAPTATION

Snow leopards are able to function normally during the hours of darkness, in contrast to their prey, which are mainly active during daylight hours. The snow leopard’s peak periods of activity are dawn and dusk.