Thread by @NatureIn_Focus, Meet the #greyghost of the #Himalayas, the elusive and mysterious #SnowLeopard, locally [...]

Meet the #greyghost of the #Himalayas, the elusive and mysterious #SnowLeopard, locally known as #Shen - our subject for this week’s #WildAboutFacts series.

We’d love to see your Snow Leopard #images! Join in and share them with us here.

Dr Rittwick Barman

Meet the #greyghost of the #Himalayas, the elusive and mysterious #SnowLeopard, locally known as #Shen - our subject for this week’s #WildAboutFacts series.We’d love to see your Snow Leopard #images! Join in and share them with us here. Dr Rittwick Barman

The #SnowLeopard (Panthera uncia) is an #enigmatic species to study. Its high #altitude home, marked by precipitous terrain and hostile temperatures, makes it especially challenging to learn more about this #endangered #feline.

Santosh Kumar

The #SnowLeopard (Panthera uncia) is an #enigmatic species to study. Its high #altitude home, marked by precipitous terrain and hostile temperatures, makes it especially challenging to learn more about this #endangered #feline. Santosh Kumar

#SnowLeopards are thought to inhabit around 2 million http://sq.km of area across the #Central and #SouthAsian mountains – the Indian #Himalaya is one of their most important habitats.

@sanyal_shamik

#SnowLeopards are thought to inhabit around 2 million http://sq.km of area across the #Central and #SouthAsian mountains – the Indian #Himalaya is one of their most important habitats. @sanyal_shamik

Globally, the #SnowLeopard population is estimated to be between 3,920 - 6,390 individuals. The uncertainty is mainly due to knowledge gaps from large and rather inaccessible areas across the species’ #range.

Ramshesha N

Globally, the #SnowLeopard population is estimated to be between 3,920 - 6,390 individuals. The uncertainty is mainly due to knowledge gaps from large and rather inaccessible areas across the species’ #range.Ramshesha N

#SnowLeopards are well-adapted to survive in high altitudes. Their #fur consists of long hair and the presence of a dense underfur provides them with all the protection they need from #freezing temperatures.

Indranil Basu Mallick

#SnowLeopards are well-adapted to survive in high altitudes. Their #fur consists of long hair and the presence of a dense underfur provides them with all the protection they need from #freezing temperatures. Indranil Basu Mallick

#SnowLeopards manoeuvre the rough terrains easily. Their long tails aid in balance and their fur-covered feet act as their personal #snow boots. They also use their tail for protection against the cold.

@sanyal_shamik

Did you know that #SnowLeopards can jump up to 15 meters? Especially when they spot their prey! They mainly prey on #BlueSheep and #MountainIbex, but are also known to #hunt smaller #animals and #livestock.

Ramshesha N

Did you know that #SnowLeopards can jump up to 15 meters? Especially when they spot their prey! They mainly prey on #BlueSheep and #MountainIbex, but are also known to #hunt smaller #animals and #livestock.Ramshesha N

#SnowLeopard #cubs are introduced to the outside world when they follow their mother on her #hunts, at about three months of age. Till then, they remain protected in their #dens.

Partha Pratim Kundu

#SnowLeopard #cubs are introduced to the outside world when they follow their mother on her #hunts, at about three months of age. Till then, they remain protected in their #dens. Partha Pratim Kundu

Can you spot the #GreyGhost in this landscape?

Their spotted grey fur provides them with the ideal #camouflage and #SnowLeopards can hide in plain sight.

@shreeram

Can you spot the #GreyGhost in this landscape?Their spotted grey fur provides them with the ideal #camouflage and #SnowLeopards can hide in plain sight. @shreeram

With shrinking habitats, incidents of #conflicts have increased when they prey on grazing #livestock. The #SnowLeopard population is also #threatened by #poaching and illegal trade.

Surya Ramachandran

With shrinking habitats, incidents of #conflicts have increased when they prey on grazing #livestock. The #SnowLeopard population is also #threatened by #poaching and illegal trade. Surya Ramachandran

Several #organisations like the @snowleopards and the @gslep_program are working to #protect the #SnowLeopards and increase #awareness about the threats they are facing.

@KhanyariMunib

Several #organisations like the @snowleopards and the @gslep_program are working to #protect the #SnowLeopards and increase #awareness about the threats they are facing. @KhanyariMunib

A recent survey in #HimachalPradesh has shown an increase in the number of #SnowLeopards inhabiting the region. Let's hope we hear more such positive stories about the #GreyGhosts of the #Himalayas!

@sanyal_shamik

A recent survey in #HimachalPradesh has shown an increase in the number of #SnowLeopards inhabiting the region. Let's hope we hear more such positive stories about the #GreyGhosts of the #Himalayas! @sanyal_shamik

Can human-dominated, non-protected landscapes be home to a Snow Leopard population? @KhanyariMunib writes about large non-protected areas like Upper #Kinnaur, which perhaps hold more #SnowLeopards.

Read here: https://www.natureinfocus.in/nature-and-wildlife-conservation/a-cat-among-the-people/

A Cat Among The People | Nature inFocus

Can human-dominated, non-protected landscapes be home to a Snow Leopard population? On International Snow Leopard Day, here’s what we know so far

https://www.natureinfocus.in/nature-and-wildlife-conservation/a-cat-among-the-people/

Interested to know more?

Join #wildlife #photographer @shreeram as he
sets out on a #journey in search of the elusive #SnowLeopard, but encounters so much more. https://www.natureinfocus.in/indian-wildlife-information/the-grey-ghost-of-the-himalayas

The Grey Ghost Of The Himalayas | Nature inFocus

This photographer set out on a journey solely for the Snow Leopard and came back with more treasures than he bargained for

https://www.natureinfocus.in/indian-wildlife-information/the-grey-ghost-of-the-himalayas

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