In India, snow leopards mainly inhabit the higher Himalayan and trans-Himalayan landscape at an altitude between 3,000-5,400 metres. By protecting the rare snow leopard we’re also helping to protect its whole environment. Snow leopards may be considered among the one of most beautiful creatures on this planet, but they’re also an interesting and special member of the cat family. Snow leopards are solitary creatures, and skillful predators, able to kill prey up to three times their own weight in challenging terrain. If leopards were to disappear their food source would thrive and cause great chaos. Why? Snow leopards are considered a barometer of the health of the mountain ecosystem because of their wide range and position at the top of the food chain. Indeed, snow leopard habitat provides important resources for local communities – from food and medicine to grazing for livestock, and wood for shelter, heat and fuel. Help us protect the beautiful, rare, elusive snow leopard and its environment. We’re working with communities in the high mountains of the Kangchenjunga conservation area in Nepal to help manage and reduce conflict between snow leopards and people. The snow leopard is important because they are symbols for the wild places they inhabit and as a top predator, their presence is an important indicator of the health of their environment. We suggest that this site serves as a sign post to many species in this area, especially snow leopards and … That is to say every part is important for the functionality of the system as a whole. Snow leopards can’t roar. If you’d like more information on why predatory species are an important aspect of conservation don’t hesitate to ask. What is the ecological importance of the snow leopard? Also, why they matter. What humans do to effect these adorable animals. It inhabits one of the harshest environments on earth, dwelling in the high, cold, barren, mountains of Inner Asia from the Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau to the Pamirs, Tian Shan, Altai and the mountain ranges of the Gobi Desert and central Mongolia. Snow leopards mostly prey on blue sheep and mountain ibex and their smaller prey include hares, game birds and marmots. View snowleopard.org’s profile on Facebook, View snowleopardtrust’s profile on Instagram, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 325, Seattle, WA 98103, USA, New Research: Perceptions and Realities of Climate Change on Herder Practices. Ecological surveys to determine population sizes What’s more it is a real advantage for protecting itself from the cold during resting periods. Warmer average temperatures are leading to decreased glacier size and the snowpack is melting earlier and more quickly each year. Leopards also wrap themselves around their tail to have additional protection against the cold while they rest. The snow leopard is a keystone species in mountain ecosystems of Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau. As with most predators, the species plays an important ecological role in controlling prey populations (in this case, snow leopards mainly hunt large ungulates like wild goats and sheep) and weeding out the sick, weak, and injured. For example, herbivore populations would increase, resulting in changes to the vegetation, also affecting other wildlife that live in these areas. Snow leopards are missing a larynx, found in other big cats and instead of roaring like a lion or tiger, they hiss, growl and mew, and wail. There will not be enough plants to support all those animals! If you want to see a Snow Leopard it might be too hard to find because there are only 4,550 to 6,500 left. If snow leopards thrive, so will countless other species. Using infrared cameras, we found a rocky junction of two valleys in Sanjiangyuan area on the Tibetan Plateau where many mammals in this area passed and frequently marked and sniffed the site at the junction. Despite Studies dating back to the early 1980’s in other parts of Central Asia, snow leopards remain one of the least studies of the big cats. Why Are Snow Leopards Important? The best current method is local education on the issue so that outside companies looking to take advantage of a resource can be stopped. Climate Change: Because snow leopards live on snowy mountains, their habitat is undoubtedly threatened as average temperatures continue to rise[sc:1]. Sign up to be kept informed about our conservation work and how you can help such as fundraising, campaigning and events. Adult snow leopards (Panthera uncia or Uncia uncia) can grow to a length of about 2.1 metres (7 feet) from head to tail and weigh 23–41 kg (50–90 pounds). 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why are snow leopards important

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