March 9, 2023: A video showing a family of snow leopards has gone viral on social media. Continue reading to know more and watch the video.
Truly known as the “ghosts of the mountains”, it is extremely challenging to spot snow leopards due to their elusive nature. Also known as the ounce, the white-grey felids are native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, and are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Their fur ranges in colour from white to grey with black spots on head and neck, and larger rosettes on the back, flanks and bushy tail. In India, they mostly inhabit the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, across the mountainous terrains of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
These big cats are rarely spotted, leave alone being captured on a camera. Therefore, capturing a family of snow leopards on camera has left the entire wildlife-loving community amazed! The video was shared on Monday, March 6, by Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan on Twitter.
His caption read, “The ghost of the mountains. A snow #leopard family captured by good friend @irsankurrapria. They are one of the most agile hunters on #earth.”
Follow the link below to watch the video online:
The video captured shows a running snow leopard reuniting with their mother, upon responding to her call. Thereafter, the family can also be spotted snuggling up together. In yet another recent theory, wildlife enthusiasts had suggested how snow leopards may use their bushy tails as blankets in the cold climate.
In fact, Mr Kaswan has also confirmed the data through a second tweet stating how the video indeed captured a snow leopard mother with her two cubs.
“Snow leopards are most adaptable to high & cold altitudes. They are known for their acrobatics including running on steep slopes and long jumps.
The video was shot at Lahaul-Spiti, during last week,” the tweet read.
He also added how snow leopards are one of the few big cats who do not roar and their paws are designed especially for the hills and the slopes. Mr Kaswan called them, “powerful, agile, secretive & beautiful.”
Mostly playful in nature, snow leopards are agile hunters and can prey on animals up to thrice their own body weight. They are cruelly poached for their skin, bones and other body parts.
