Mr.

Endangered Species and Snow Leopard

Endangered Species

There are trillions of living beings, and millions of various sort of animals as well as plants, which add to our earth. Every type is particular and exclusive. However, а number of these species are in hazard of vanishing perpetually, just as the passenger pigeon did. When the last associate of а species departs, that species is supposed to be died out. Never again will there be an additional living thing of that type on the earth for perpetuity.

Earth was once crammed with wildlife, and in the history, people hunted without worrying concerning the future. It seemed as though there was а limitless amount of wildlife to be originate. In the present day we now know that we should also look after their habitats. This is where they stumble on food, water, protection, as well as а place to have their young. Yet if they are not sought, animals will expire out if these provisions cannot be met. In this century, loss of environment has been one of the major causes of destruction. As а human inhabitant grows, people extend out into areas that previously were wild, and they contend with animals for living space. Most of the time animals loose in this battle. "People cut down forests for encumber, clear fields for farms, and plug quagmires to build towns, highways, and factories. Land can as well be empty for such things as mineral mining". (Middleton, Susan and David, p 28)

Scientists are quick to be reminiscent us that endangered animals might be а precious resource in the future. While wildlife species are endangered or wiped out, the whole world loses. People in lots of countries are anxious not simply about their own endangered animals but also concerning those in rising countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Lots of species contribute to our world features terrifying threats that may eventually lead to their extermination. Save for, as we have seen, the depiction is not all miserable. Today there are extra opportunities than ever before for caring people to assist in the fight to save scarce wildlife. Through lots of animals being brought back from the verge and new enhanced recovery programs, the animals have а much better try at continued existence than they would have а decade ago. Apart from that on other side in the snow leopard peter matthiessen has brought sense of humour, manner as well as consideration to the many subjects that have betrothed him.

The Snow Leopard: Description and Natural History

Physical Description

The endangered snow leopard has long, whitish or smoky-gray fur with dark, open markings or spots. This coat color and pattern effectively camouflages the snow leopard against rocks and snow, making it almost invisible.

The snow leopard is а medium-sized cat measuring 1 Ð'- 1.3 meters (3.3 Ð'- 4.3 feet). Adult females weigh 35 Ð'- 40 kilograms (77 Ð'- 88 pounds). Males weigh 45 Ð'- 55 kilograms (100 Ð'- 120 pounds), although some animals reach 75 kilograms (165 pounds). Snow leopards have large paws for walking on snow, а dense, wooly under-fur, and а thick, long tail (about 75%-90% of the body length) which can be wrapped around the face and body to help keep them warm in the mountains.

Natural History

The snow leopard inhabits remote alpine and sub-alpine zones in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Bhutan, China, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Russia.

The endangered snow leopard is currently fragmented in its distribution, which consists of long, narrow mountain systems and scattered island habitat. It prefers steep, dry, rocky terrain with cliffs and rocky outcrops between 3,000 and 4,500 meters (9,800-14,800 feet) high. It may go higher or lower in different parts of its range. It is an excellent climber and prefers traveling along major ridgelines, gullies and broken cliffs.

The snow leopard endangered species is rarely sighted because of their remote habitat and shy and elusive character. Solitary snow leopards (and researchers) use claw scrapes and rakings, feces, and scent sprays to identify snow leopards in an area. (David, 36)

These cats have home ranges of varying size depending on prey density. In Nepal Ð'- where prey density is high Ð'- snow leopards may inhabit smaller home ranges, whereas in Mongolia, where habitat is marginal, larger home ranges have been documented. Snow leopards are solitary unless mating or raising cubs. Depending on location, they are most active at dawn and dusk or at night. They are opportunistic feeders, but prey mostly on wild goats and sheep (including ibex (Capra siberica) and blue sheep (Pseudios nayaur). They also feed on small prey items such as marmots, hares and birds, and may take livestock if they are encountered in their range.

Sexual maturity is reached at two to three years. Mating occurs between early January and mid-March. Male vocalizations can be heard at this time. One to five (usually two or three) cubs are born 98 to 104 days later, in May or June. Cubs remain with their mother until they are 18 Ð'- 22 months old. Littermates may remain together briefly after they disperse from where they were born.

А cursory 1992 world estimate for snow leopards was 4,510 to 7,350. The population is continuing to decline and is close to being extirpated in parts of Inner Mongolia, leaving scientists to find ways to save the snow leopard. Populations of the snow leopard endangered species are increasing in conservation areas and preserves in Pakistan, Nepal and southern Tibet. (Peter 44-45)

Status of the Species

Status

The snow leopard is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and listed as Endangered on the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). The snow leopard endangered species is also listed on Appendix I of the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) as we try to find ways to save the snow leopard.

Threats to the Species

The endangered snow leopard was hunted for fur and as а trophy and was already rare by 1970. Today, the snow leopard is threatened by illegal hunting for fur, as well as for body parts and bones for traditional medicine. They are threatened by loss and fragmentation of habitat due to the encroachment of humans and livestock, loss or displacement of prey