SPECIES DESCRIPTION

Additional background information on: biological classification, physical appearance, life/biology, and habitat of each animal.

Biological

Common name [1]: Asian Leopard cat

Scientific name [1]: Prionailurus bengalensis

Taxonomy [1]:

Common name [20]: Snow leopard

Scientific name [20]: Panthera uncia

Taxonomy [20]:

Asian Leopard cat [2]

Adults weigh anywhere from 1.7 kg - 7.1 kg (average 4.4 kg)
In the winter, they tend to gain more weight, whereas in the spring they are slimmer.
Can be up to 75 cm in length
They have spots along their long fur coat
Their coats can range in color from a pale silvery-gray to a yellow-brownish color
Spotted tails
Heads are marked with two prominent dark stripes that extend from the inner eye of the cat to the base of the ear
Relatively the size of a domestic cat, but have longer legs, and are more slender in stature
Small heads with a short muzzle and long rounded ears
Excellent swimmers in water

Snow Leopard [19]

Asian Leopard cat [2]

Gestation period of 60-70 days
Breed once a year and reach sexual maturity around 1 year of age (based on captive animal information that were isolated from humans)
Litters of 2-3
Kitten birth weight is 75 g-130 g
Kittens are raised in hollow fallen trees, among bushes and between rocks
Kittens are atricial and are required to be cared for by the parent
Canines erupt at 4 weeks of age and it is also the time that the kittens start eating meat

Snow Leopard

Gestation period is about 93-110 days [19]
They usually give birth in June or July [19]
Mating occurs between late January and mid-March
Usually have litters of 1-5, however few survive to reproductive age [19]
Kittens are raised in rocky dens or crevices and the mother lines it with fur from her underside [31]
Weaned around 10 weeks [31]
Mature at 18-20 months then leave their mom [31]
Atricial species so the kittens rely on the mother to provide them w food and, protection [31]
Cubs are born with a full coat of fur [31]

Asian Leopard cat

Found to live in habitats ranging form tropical rain forests, to coniferous forests & successional grasslands. they do not live in deep snow since their paws are too small [1,4]
They live anywhere from India & southeast asia to Russia [5]
Some countries include: Malaysis, Vietnam, Thailand, and Pakistan [30]
Conservation status is of "least concern as stated by the IUCN [5]

Snow Leopard [19]

Found in mountains in central Asia ( ex: Mount Altai, Kun Lun)
Can be found in: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Mongolia, Russia, etc.
Preferable habitats are alpine & sub-alpine
Preferable habitats usually contain arid & semi-arid shrub
Preferable habitats are also cold, bushy and rocky
Conservation status is "Vulnerable" [20]