Hello All! I usually try and stay away from multiple posting of the same subject but in the case I can't help it ..This is my favorite of all the cat's and one of the most beautiful in the world I feel and he is only weeks old! The funny thing here is - he was trying to muster up all his little furouisness and try to come off so big and strong but he is growing sleepier and here is trying to be watchful of me as I am so close in proximity but he is pure baby heehee -and is doing his best to fight off the soon to come naptime- he wassoo cuteeE! I realise most of you know all about this guy but here is a little info on him that you might have missed!!" ______________________________________________ Snow Leopard: Panthera uncia One of the most strikingly beautiful of all cats is the snow leopard - It is related to the common leopard of Africa and Asia, but because its way of life and general appearance are so different it is regarded as a separate species Distribution: Mountainous regions of northern India, the former USSR and in the Himalayas. Habitat: High up in rhododendron forests and above the tree line, living in caves in the rocky cliffs. Description: The leopard's thick fur is about 5cm long along the back - 10cm long underneath. The coat is a soft ashy-brown colour with black rosette markings. Size: Body Length - 1.2 to 1.5m (4-5ft). Tail - 90cm (35.5ins). Weight: 25 - 75kg Life-span: Approx. 20 years in captivity. Food: Wild sheep and goats, deer, wild boar, small mammals and some birds. The snow leopard has a head and body length of about 1.2 - 1.5m (4-5ft) with a tail measuring 90cm (35.5ins). The thick fur is about 5cm long on the back - but almost twice that length on the underparts of the animal. Owing to the sad fact that some humans like to adorn themselves in animal skins, the snow leopard's coat of soft and beautifully marked fur caused the species to be a target for the fur trade. The International Furriers Association has now banned the use of snow leopard fur, so snow leopard skin clothes are made strictly on the black market. It should be remembered that it takes the skins from up to seven dead leopards to make one coat for one human! The snow leopard lives in the remote mountainous regions of Central Asia, from Pakistan and Afghanistan to parts of Russia and China - including the lonely Altai Mountains and the Himalayas, where in summer it hunts at altitudes of up to 6,000m (about 19,500ft). During the harsh winter weather, the snow leopard follows the example of its prey and descends to lower levels of around 1,800m (about 6,000ft). The prey species include wild sheep, marmots, and other rodents, hares and ground-dwelling birds. Snow leopards are powerful, agile animals capable of making huge leaps to cross ravines or clear other obstacles. Usually a solitary creature, it leads a lonely life wandering the mountains, although the female leopard may be accompanied by cubs. These are born about 100 days after mating takes place, with two or three cubs in a litter. There are several reasons why the snow leopard is an endangered species. First and foremost, it has probably never existed in large numbers. It is solitary by nature and lives in a harsh, dangerous environment where a false step or misjudged leap could end in disaster. There is also danger from hunters, who kill the snow leopard for its beautiful coat of fur. Herdsmen will kill snow leopards to protect their cattle and humans also affect the species by felling forests for cultivation or hydroelectric schemes. The total population of the snow leopard is now in hundreds rather than thousands. _______________________________________________ -taken with my pocket nikon 7900 in macro mode 2 ft away! * will Be able to see him the best at full size -thanks! Thank you for all your time and comments! Love to you all! ((( BIG HUGS! )))) ~ Kimmers ! :O) ♥