Snow leopards, also known as Panthera Uncia, inhabit the most rugged mountains of central and South Asia and have remarkable ways of hunting. They possess a unique adaptation to the harsh climate of these remote areas and their diet mainly relies on meat to fulfil their nutritional needs.
Snow Leopards are carnivores and their diet mainly consists of hoofed animals like blue sheep, Argali wild sheep, ibex, deer etc. Their diet may vary based on factors such as; the availability of prey due to weather conditions. Scientists have also found that snow leopards can eat vegetation such as; grass and twigs. Let’s get into further details.
What Animals Do Snow Leopards Eat?
Snow leopards’ diet primarily consists of wild sheep and goats such as; blue sheep, Argali wild sheep, ibex, and deer. They also prefer to munch on other small mammals such as; marmots, pikas, rabbits, hares etc during the scarcity of larger prey. All of these creatures make up the main portion of their diet.
Since snow leopards are capable of taking down large prey which might be as big as 3 times their size, they are also known to eat goitered gazelles in some areas of high mountains.
Additionally, when bigger prey is scarce, snow leopards tend to hunt down small bird species, as well as, domestic livestock such as; young yaks, sheep and goats, leading to conflicts with local farmers and herders.
Here is the list of animals that snow leopards like to eat:
- Himalayan Blue sheep (bharal)
- Argali Sheep
- Ibex
- Wild mountain goats (e.g markhor, tahr)
- Smaller Animals such as marmots, hares, mice. Squirrels and voles
- Game Birds
- Domestic livestock, including sheep, goats, cows, horses, llamas, and yaks.
What animals do snow leopards eat in the wild?
Their diet mainly depends on a variety of large to medium-sized herbivores, making up a significant portion of their diet. These big cats need to rely on wild sheep and goats to fulfil the high nutritional value and to survive the harsh environments of high mountain ranges, including the Himalayas and southern Siberian mountains in Russia. Here is the list of animals that snow leopards eat in wild:
- Himalayan Blue sheep (bharal)
- Argali Sheep
- Ibex
- Wild mountain goats (e.g markhor, tahr)
- Smaller Animals such as marmots, hares, mice. Squirrels and voles
- Game Birds
- Domestic livestock, including sheep, goats, cows, horses, llamas, and yaks.
Do snow leopards only eat meat?
No, snow leopards do not only eat meat, in fact meat is the most essential part of their diet. However, they may occasionally nibble on vegetation such as; wild grasses and twigs for some extra vitamins, better digestion, and to keep parasites away.
What animals do snow leopards eat during the day?
Snow leopards hunt one big prey every 8 to 10 days and finish it slowly in 3 to 4 days. Therefore, during the day snow leopards eat the same prey which they might hunt on the same day or have hunted previously.
Where do snow leopards live?
Snow Leopards live in high mountain regions such as; Southern Siberia, the Russian Altai Mountains, Sayan and Tannu-Ola Mountains, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Hindu Kush in eastern Afghanistan, Karakoram in Pakistan, The Himalayas in India, Nepal and Bhutan, Mongolia, and Northern Tibet (Altyn-Tagh).
Do snow leopards eat pandas?
Snow leopards do not eat adult pandas, however, they might hunt down their small cubs. Although it is easier for them to hunt down 3 times larger prey, still, there is no evidence of snow leopards eating big pandas.
FAQ’s
Do snow leopards eat rabbits?
Yes, snow Leopards do eat rabbits and other small mammals when large prey is scarce during heavy snowfall season.
Do snow leopards eat squirrels?
Yes, snow leopards do eat squirrels and many other small animals including; rabbit, hare, marmot, and pika, and birds such as pheasant, partridge, and snowcock.
