Friends and Enemies
Snow leopards are among the most powerful hunters in their mountainous habitat.. Their prey is preferably 55-65 kg large, however these wild cats can kill prey up to three times their own weight (Snow Leopard Trust, n.d.). This makes them considered to be among the top carnivores of their ecosystem and are referred to as indicator species to the ecological strength and status of their high altitude ecosystem. This means that the presence of snow leopards has a beneficial effect on the ecosystem as they maintain a manageable population of prey. Snow leopards are also referred to as opportunistic predators meaning that they will take advantage of any meat or prey in order to satisfy their overall energy requirements.
These wild cats have diets that vary based on their location, however the three most significant prey species hunted include: wild cattle, small rodents such as marmots, and game birds such as the snow cock and chukor. However, it has also been found that snow leopards eat significant amounts of vegetation such as grass or twigs. This is speculated to provide them with extra vitamins and minerals, aid in digestion and most importantly avoid parasites.
These wild cats have diets that vary based on their location, however the three most significant prey species hunted include: wild cattle, small rodents such as marmots, and game birds such as the snow cock and chukor. However, it has also been found that snow leopards eat significant amounts of vegetation such as grass or twigs. This is speculated to provide them with extra vitamins and minerals, aid in digestion and most importantly avoid parasites.
Wild Cattle and Livestock
The three most important wild sheep species for the snow leopard include: the blue sheep or Pseudois nayaur (mostly hunted in the Himalayas regions) and Argali and Asaiatic ibex in areas such as TIan Shan, Karakorum and the Russian/Mongolian mountains. The relationship the snow leopard has with these wild sheep and livestock is predation. Snow leopard prey requirements are estimated to be 20-30 adult blue sheep with an effective kill every 10-15 days, therefore relying on wild cattle as their primary food source (Large Herbivore Network, n.d.). On average, snow leopards can be hunting for up to 8 days and usually take 3-4 days to consume their prey (Snow Leopard Trust, n.d.). Herding communities that inhabit the snow leopard environment of high altitudes graze their herd on the same plant areas that snow leopards consume. As a result, the growth of these domestic herds results in the decline of blue sheep, idex and argali populations. However, their dependence on wild cattle has an direct affect on snow leopard population. In the presence of significant numbers of wild cattle and livestock, the snow leopard population will be successful as a result of a surplus of their primary food source. On the other hand, when wild sheep and goat population decreases, the snow leopard population will also decline from a lack of food. As observed in the graph below, a study performed on the scats of snow leopards showed blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) composed 30% of the snow leopard diet and 15% of their diet was found to be from other livestock such as sheep (marmota himalayana) (Devkota, Silwal, & Kolejka, 2013).
Rodents and Birds
Competition?
Snow leopards are among the top predators in their ecosystem. As a result they have few predators other than humans. However, competition between snow leopards and leopards arises when there is a decline in resources. This leads to interspecific killing between these populations. Some adult snow leopards are also found to be suspected killers of younger, harmless, cubs in certain circumstances. Therefore, the main competition for snow leopards are other leopards living in the mountains of Central Asia as their elusive and shy nature results in limited interaction with other species other then predator-prey relations.
In the video shown above, a snow leopard is filmed while hunting wild cattle. Snow Leopards first "spy" on their prey and when the right moment approaches they spring into action and pounce on their prey.