Snow Leopard As Charismatic Carnivore In Higher Ranges Of Indian Himalyas: A Study Of Their Population, Distribution, Habitat, And Feeding Habitat

Abstract

Snow leopard is an elusive mammal species of the cat family, is the toppredator of the Central and South Asian, high- altitude ecosystem. In India this is very disappointing that out of 6 states and union territories only Himachal Pradesh has successfully completed census of snow leopard. The exact number of snow leopard is unknown in India due to fact that the population studies snow leopard has not been carried out yet in India. The snow leopard is about 2.1 metres (7 feet) tall, including the 0.9 metre (3-foot) long tail. It stands 0.6 metre (2 feet) tall at the shoulder and weighs between 23 and 41 kilogrammes (50 and 90 pounds). Snow leopards have strong legs and are excellent jumpers, capable of leaping up to 50 feet. In India, the snow leopard is less studied than any other big felid, like the tiger, lion, and leopard