Central Asian snow predator crossword puzzle. Snow leopards of Central Asia (10 photos)

We bring to your attention some rare pictures of snow leopards that were taken in mountainous regions. Central Asia, in their natural habitat.

The majestic predator goes hunting with the onset of twilight, silently and imperceptibly stepping on the ground, merging with surrounding nature thanks to the thick silver-black fur, which serves as excellent camouflage.

Awake only at night, the snow leopard is the rarest and also one of the most solitary and secretive of the big cats. Today, there are about 3.5 thousand leopards on our planet living in the countries of Central Asia, including Mongolia and Afghanistan, where these predators are constantly hunted.


In Afghanistan, the population of these animals reaches only a few hundred individuals, so employees National Administration for protection environment constantly fighting poachers. Recently it became known that the inhabitants of one village managed to catch a leopard, luring him into a trap. This information instantly reached the relevant structures, thanks to which the animal was saved. Cases like these, which are cause for optimism, may help stop the extermination of big cats and stop their population decline. Even in a country like Afghanistan (where protection natural resources hardly a priority) are trying to preserve the population of this rare animal species.


However, snow leopards are highly dependent on humans. According to director non-profit organization Panthera's Snow Leopard, Mr. Tom McCarthy, the main threat to the snow leopard is that they live in areas where pastoralism is developed, which is the only human trade. And with a reduction in the number of livestock, the risk of a threat to leopards increases - catching them is the only way for the local population to survive.


Programs created by Panthera's Snow Leopard allow humans and leopards to coexist. Employees train herders and pastoralists in improved farming practices. In Pakistan, for example, they give free vaccinations to livestock, which increase resistance to various diseases, thereby saving livestock. Mongolian herders, at the suggestion of Panthera's Snow Leopard, are creating handicrafts for sale in zoos in the US and Europe and providing them with an opportunity to earn money. Each resident of a community that has not killed a single snow leopard by the end of the year is given a bonus. However, the programs to preserve the number of these rare animals do not end there.




Members of the organization also conduct research on the habits and movement of these predatory animals. The main base of Panthera's Trust, which attracts huge funds and applies new technologies, is located in Mongolia, in the Gobi Desert. On an area of ​​almost 1,300 m², 40 cameras are placed, all leopards are wearing collars equipped with a built-in GPS tracker that allows you to track their movement.




Diligent attempts to learn about snow leopards as much as possible do not stop. The hope for their survival does not die, despite the threats to this species. The fundamental factor in favor of their survival is the fact that they live in the most inaccessible and harsh places on our planet.

In terms of body size, the snow leopard is slightly inferior to the leopard, in general appearance it is similar to it. It's a big one strong beast typical cat appearance. It has a thin, long, flexible body, low legs, a small head and a very long tail. Adult snow leopards are from 100 to 130 cm long and up to 40 kg in weight. The tail reaches 105 cm. Unlike the leopard, the color of the hairline of the leopard does not contain either red or reddish tones. The coloration of winter fur is dominated by a light smoky gray background, over which solid or ring-shaped dark spots of indistinct outlines are scattered. Sometimes there is a slight light yellowish tint in the color. Among other large cats, the snow leopard stands out for its long, thick and soft hair, but, despite the splendor of the fur, it looks like a slender, graceful animal. It is not as massive as a leopard, it has a less muscular body.

Irbis is an alpine animal. In summer, it inhabits the belts of subalpine and alpine meadows in the mountains of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, in Russia - Altai and reaches the border of eternal snows. Its traces were repeatedly noted at an altitude of 5000 m above sea level. It lives in rocky places, among stony placers, steep gorges. In the belt of alpine meadows, the irbis rises after the Siberian ibex, which is its main prey all year round. Occasionally hunts mountain sheep, roe deer, young wild boars. In winter, the snow leopard descends into middle belt mountains behind migrating goats and other ungulates. Irbis - "gambling hunter". When attacking a flock of sheep, he kills not one animal, like a tiger or leopard, but several. There are cases when he crushed seven or eight sheep in one attack. Irbis choose caves, crevices, heaps of rocks for arranging a lair. In lairs they spend most daylight hours. They hunt in the evening twilight and in the morning at dawn.

Gon pass in early spring. 90-100 days after fertilization, the female gives birth to up to five kittens. Irbis are few everywhere. Hunting for him is prohibited everywhere. http://www.outdoors.ru/hunter/animal1.php)

Spreading. AT Russian Federation there is an insignificant part of the snow leopard range, which is the northern periphery of the species range. In the XIX - XX centuries. there was a decrease in the area inhabited by the snow leopard, the northern border of the permanent habitat of this predator receded to the south, the lace of the range thinned out (1 - 3). Currently, the snow leopard is found within Russia in the Altai and Krasnoyarsk Territories and in Tuva. In Altai, the snow leopard inhabits the Southern Altai, Tabyn-Bogdo-Ola, Katunsky, South-Chuysky, Severo-Chuysky, Sailyugem, Chikhachev ridges; during visits, it also appears on the Aigulak, Kurai, Chulyshman, Shapshal ridges, as well as on the Chulyshman highlands. Meeting places of snow leopards in the 70s: Mount Aitynkalak near the river. Karakul and Ongudaysky district (1972), Kosh-Agachsky district (1974), upper reaches of the river. Koksha (1976) and the watershed between the rivers Koetru and Tushken (1976) are both the last points in the Altai Reserve. In the same reserve on Mount Pogranichnaya, Shapshalsky Ridge, in 1973 a leopard den was discovered (4 - 6). In the Krasnoyarsk Territory and Tuva, there is much that is unclear about the current distribution of this predator. Although the snow leopard was quite widespread in the Western Sayan and inhabited the entire mountain system, with the exception of the Sayansky, Kurtushibinsky and Ergak-Targak-Taiga ranges (2), detailed surveys of the 60s - 70s. did not reveal its presence in the central and eastern parts Western Sayan. It is assumed that the snow leopard survived in the high-altitude parts of the Sayan Range and at the northwestern tip of the Khemchinsky Range. Shot reported in the late 1960s. one snow leopard in the vicinity of the lake. Uluk-MungashKhol (the headwaters of the Ona river, which flows into the Abakan river) and about the encounters of these predators in the headwaters of the Malaye Ury, Rybnaya and SystygKhem rivers. Snow leopard visits to the Eastern Sayan are explained by the abundance in this area reindeer and deer (7). The upper reaches of the Abakan and the basins of the Us and Kantegir rivers in the Western Sayan and the upper reaches of the Kazyr and Kizir rivers in the highlands of the Eastern Sayan are indicated as probable locations of the modern foci of this predator (8). In Kazakhstan and the Central Asian states, the leopard lives in the Western Altai, in Tarbagatai, Dzungarian Alatau, in the Tien Shan and Pamir systems (1 - 3, 9). In addition, it is found in the Mongolian People's Republic, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal. The snow leopard is adapted to living in harsh climatic conditions. He lives in sparsely populated highland areas, rising to 5 thousand meters above sea level. sea, adheres to the subalpine and alpine belts, slopes of gorges, often overgrown with dense shrubs, as well as treeless highlands, stony placers and snowfields. The main prey of the leopard is mountain goats and rams, roe deer, wild boars, and partly marmots, hares and snowcocks. Therefore, the places of concentration are confined to lands with a high population density of these animals.

population. There is incomplete information about the number of snow leopards. In Altai, they are more numerous in the south and east. According to G. G. Sobansky, the snow leopard has survived in some numbers now in the middle reaches of the river. Argut, from the confluence of the river. Coke to the mouth. In the lands of the Kurai and Chulyshman ranges for 1968 - 1975. along the way or accidentally shot 7 leopards. In the systems of the left tributaries of the Bashkaus, the Upper and Lower Idulgen, several families of this predator lived for more than ten years. When carrying out accounting work on the territory of 400 sq. km, traces of three leopards were found (0.75 individuals per 100 sq. km). At present, single encounters of a predator are noted here. It was assumed that in the mid-70s. about 40 snow leopards lived in Altai (4). Now this number has decreased. There is no reason to believe that total number of these predators in Russia exceeds several dozen heads. Outside of Russia, separate attempts have been made to determine the number of snow leopards. In Kazakhstan, in the Alma-Ata Reserve, at the end of the 70s, three or four families of these cats probably lived (10). Rough estimates showed that in 1975 there were 220 predators of this species in Tajikistan. The number of snow leopards in former USSR does not exceed 800 - 1000 individuals (3).

limiting factors. Among the reasons for the reduction in the number and range of the snow leopard are: depletion of the food supply due to a decrease in the number of artiodactyl animals, which this predator mainly feeds on; increased disturbance factor due to the intensive development of mountain pastures by a growing number of domestic animals, as well as due to developing tourism and more frequent human penetration into the hidden areas of the mountains; illegal hunting driven by the high market price and unlimited demand for snow leopard pelts; the ongoing illegal and completely unjustified persecution of the predator as a "dangerous enemy of animal husbandry" (3, 6, 7, 10). There are also limiting factors of a natural nature. The snow leopard is characterized by a relatively low rate of reproduction; there are usually less than five kittens in a litter, and two on average. Parents weakly protect offspring. Sexual maturity occurs in the second or third year of life, the female does not mate every year. In addition, the leopard is poorly adapted to moving on high, loose snow cover. The snow leopard is an unguarded, trusting animal; noticing the persecution, he is in no hurry to take cover or get away from the dogs. All this complicates the restoration of the snow leopard population and their protection.

Security measures. The snow leopard is included in Appendix I to the CITES Convention. It is necessary to carry out extensive explanatory work among the local population, and especially among the shepherds, about the importance of observing the ban on hunting and preserving a rare and scientifically interesting animal. It is necessary to better study the current distribution, identify the features of distribution across the territory, and determine the number of snow leopards. It is recommended to introduce a ban on catching this predator in the places where it is currently carried out, until the livestock is restored. Organize long-term sanctuaries closed for grazing. Lives in the Sayanoshushensky Reserve.

Sources of information: 1. Novikov, 1963; 2. Geptner and Sludsky, 1972; 3. Sludsky, 1973; 4. Sopin, 1977; 5. Geyts, Makarov, 1977; 6. Shilov and Baskakov, 1977; 7. Sokolov, 1979; 8. Syroechkovsky, Rogacheva, 1980; 9. Geyts, Shopin, 1977; 10. Satimbekov, 1979. Compiled by N. P. Lavrov.

Latin name: Uncia uncia, Panthera uncia

English name: snow leopard

Order: carnivores

Family: felines

Genus: Uncia ( Snow leopards), has 1 species

The snow leopard is a representative of the cat family, living in the harsh climate of the mountain ranges of Central Asia. Among all the big cats, the irbis is the only permanent resident of the highlands. The predator belongs to a genus that occupies an intermediate position between a group of small cats and big cats genus Panthera (tigers, jaguars, lions).

Appearance and anatomical features of the body structure of the snow leopard

In appearance, the snow leopard resembles a leopard. Indeed, posture and overall dimensions predators are the same. The length of the flexible body of the snow leopard reaches 1 meter, and these cats weigh 25-40 kilograms. Male predators are slightly larger than females. characteristic distinguishing feature snow leopard - a very long thick tail (about 100 centimeters long), as well as rather short limbs with wide paws (the length of the hind feet reaches 22-25 centimeters). Paw prints are large and round, with no distinguishable claw marks. Sight, hearing and sense of smell in snow leopards are well developed.

Interesting fact

Wide fluffy paws with flat large pads play the role of natural snowshoes and help large cats evenly distribute weight so as not to fall through when stepping on loose snow.

The coat color of snow leopards is light gray, rare dark annular spots are clearly visible. Also, small continuous spots are dispersed throughout the body. Fur on belly white color. The tip of the tail is black on top. In young individuals, the color of the spots is more intense than in adult leopards. Geographic variability of fur color is not expressed. In general, the coat of snow leopards is very warm, thick and long (up to 5.5 centimeters on the back). Soft fur grows even between the fingers, it reliably protects large paws from the cold. All these signs indicate that snow leopards live in cold climates with harsh winters and are excellent at jumping.

In animals, on a relatively small rounded head, large eyes of a yellowish-green hue with a round pupil are rather high. The ears of the leopards are short and rounded, in winter they are almost invisible among the fur.

Like most other members of the cat family, adult snow leopards have 30 strong and sharp teeth in their mouths. Vibrissae in white and black leopards, up to 10.5 centimeters long. Mobile long tongue allows spotted cats to easily separate meat from the victim's skeleton. The skull of these predators is relatively powerful and massive, distinguished by highly developed zygomatic arches.

Distribution area of ​​the snow leopard

While hunting, snow leopards can jump up to 10 meters in length.

reproduction snow leopard

The period of active breeding of snow leopards falls on last month winter and early spring. In hard-to-reach places, females specially equip a comfortable warm shelter for the birth of offspring. Pregnancy lasts approximately 90-110 days. The female snow leopard gives birth only once every two years. Depending on the geographic area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe habitat, kittens are born in April-May or May-June.

Interesting fact

In Tibet and the Himalayas, snow leopards mate all year round. The mating song of the snow leopard resembles a rough, but at the same time gentle meow.

In one litter, 2-3 small snow leopards are born (less often 3-4). Babies are born blind, see through 5-8 days. Newborn snow leopards weigh about 500 grams, their body length is no more than 30 centimeters. The body of the cubs is covered with brown fur with pronounced dark spots. By appearance and the size of newborns resemble domestic cats.

For the first 1.5-2 months, the brood feeds only on mother's milk. Then the female begins to feed the kittens and meat food. At the age of 3 months, young snow leopards for the first time try to follow their mother for a walk, and at the age of five to six months they already hunt with her. The whole family lies in wait for prey, but the female always makes the decisive jump. The cubs accompany their mother until almost 1 year old, learning from her the difficult art of hunting in the highlands.

Young animals reach sexual maturity at the age of 3-4 years. The male meets with the female only for the period of mating and does not take part in the upbringing of the offspring. In the wild, snow leopards live 12-15 years, in zoos - up to 20 years.

Population status and conservation of snow leopards

Irbis belongs to endangered rare species and is listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to the data World Fund wildlife for 2003, total strength snow leopards within the range of distribution does not exceed 7500 individuals. However, due to the secretive way of life of these spotted predators and the inaccessibility of habitats, the estimate of the population size is indicative and is based on the expert opinions of zoologists.

The independent wildlife trade monitoring program TRAFFIC monitors the number of snow leopards in the wild. Only about 4,000 snow leopards remain in the wild, according to a 2015 report. Spotted cats are killed by poachers for attacking livestock. The report also notes that only 20% of snow leopards are destroyed because of the beautiful warm fur, for the sale of skins, bones, claws and teeth. From year to year illegal trade is growing. More than 90% of poaching occurs in 5 countries - Mongolia, China, India, Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Interesting fact

Along with poaching, the defensive behavior of snow leopards negatively affects the population status. Predators use a protective coat color and, in case of danger, often hide, which often leads to their death, because in open areas people kill animals with firearms. In addition, with an insufficient food supply, spotted cats can feed on the victims of other predators and die by eating poisoned baits that poachers illegally use to fight wolves.

Snow leopard and man

AT wild nature among animals, snow leopards have no enemies. The population size of these predators is affected by the reduction in the food supply. The number of snow leopards is decreasing due to the harsh living conditions in the highlands.

The only enemy of the snow leopard is man. Even though snow leopards are quite rare animals, they have always been a desirable trophy for hunters. Animal fur is highly valued. On the black market, the skin of one snow leopard costs tens of thousands of dollars.

Today, hunting for snow leopards is prohibited in many countries. However, poaching of these large cats is still threatened.

Interesting fact

Since the number of snow leopards in nature is small, and they live in sparsely populated regions, the harm of predators to livestock and hunting economy quite insignificant.

Around the world, several thousand members of the Uncia uncia species are kept in menageries. Today, the population of snow leopards in captivity has about 2,000 individuals, most of them in China. Of this amount, only 15% of snow leopards were caught in the wild, the rest were born in zoos and centers for the reproduction of rare animal species. Irbis breed successfully in captivity. In such conditions, animals do not show aggression, but still remain wild cats and are not tamed.

In some regions of Kazakhstan, there is a unique animal that lives only in rare hard-to-reach regions the globe. It has become the state symbol of the republic, and is also depicted on the coat of arms of Almaty. This is a snow leopard.

Irbis - snow leopard, or snow leopard (lat. Uncia uncia, according to another classification Panthera uncia) - large predatory mammal from the cat family, living in the mountain ranges of Central Asia. The irbis is distinguished by a thin, long, flexible body, relatively short legs, a small head and a very long tail. Reaching a length of 200-230 cm together with the tail, it weighs up to 55 kg. The leopard has a very beautiful coloring fur - light smoky gray with ring-shaped and solid dark spots. Due to the inaccessibility of habitats and the low density of the species, many aspects of its biology and life activity still remain poorly understood. At present, the number of snow leopards is catastrophically small, in the 20th century it was included in the IUCN Red Book, in the Red Book of Russia, Kazakhstan and other countries. Currently, hunting for snow leopards is prohibited worldwide.

Exclusively Asian look

The range of the snow leopard in central and southern Asia covers approximately 1,230,000 km² of mountainous regions and extends through following countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

On the Dzungarian Alatau, it is found at an altitude of 600-700 meters above sea level. On the Kungei Alatau ridge, in summer, the snow leopard is occasionally found in the spruce forest belt (2,100 - 2,600 meters above sea level) and especially often in the alpine (up to 3,300 m above sea level). In the Trans-Ili Alatau and the Central Tien Shan, in summer, the snow leopard rises to heights of up to 4,000 meters. However, the snow leopard is not always an alpine animal - in a number of places it lives year-round in the region of low mountains and in the upland steppe at altitudes of 600 - 1,500 meters above sea level, keeping to rocky gorges, cliffs and outcrops where goats and argali live.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the total number of the species within the entire range is estimated at approximately 3,500 to 7,500 individuals. Another 2,000 or so snow leopards are kept in zoos around the world and successfully breed in captivity.

In Kazakhstan, there is a peripheral northern part of the snow leopard habitat, represented by 100-120 individuals. The Red Data Book of Kazakhstan reports that in the last century the leopard was common in the Tien Shan, in the Dzungarian Alatau and rare in Tarbagatai, Saur, and Southern Altai. In the 50-60s. Since the 20th century, since the intensive development of the mountainous regions of the Zailiysky Alatau by man, the number of snow leopards began to decrease.

In 2010 in Ile-Alatau national park, according to its workers, 42-46 snow leopards lived. In the same year, Zhumakhan Yenkebayev, then director of the Almaty Reserve, reported 26 snow leopards living there. Patsenko Alexey, working as an inspector operational service Medeu branch of the Ile-Alatau NP, said that at present (in 2013) approximately 15 snow leopards live in its jurisdiction surrounding Almaty from the south. According to him, the old individuals of the snow leopard can descend to the upper border of the coniferous forest along the slope of the Kumbel peak, towering over the southern capital just 15 kilometers from the one and a half million metropolis (!). This is amazing unique case snow leopard habitat in such proximity to large human settlements.

In relation to a person, the snow leopard is very timid and, even when wounded, attacks a person in exceptionally rare cases. Only a wounded beast can be dangerous for a person. On the territory of the CIS, only two cases of snow leopard attacks on humans were recorded: on July 12, 1940, in the Maloalmatinsky gorge near Alma-Ata, an snow leopard attacked two people during the day and seriously injured them. He was killed, and during the study turned out to be sick with rabies. In the second case, in winter, also not far from Alma-Ata, an old and severely emaciated toothless snow leopard jumped from a cliff onto a passing person.

“The main reason for the decline in the number of snow leopards is the intrusion of human activity into the mountains. Because of this, both predatory animals and those that serve them as food leave their places,” says Aleksey Patsenko. According to him, the main food of the snow leopard is mountain goats - tau-teke, of which there are about 1,000 in the Medeu branch, and mountain marmots. Old individuals of the leopard, going down to the forest, hunt deer, spruces and wild boars.

In 2013, Ust-Kamenogorsk biologists Oleg and Irina Loginov established environmental fund Snow Leopard Fund, which aims to contribute to the conservation of the snow leopard by creating an attractive image of this animal in society and promoting it as a living symbol of Kazakhstan. They published the book “Snow Leopard. The symbol of the heavenly mountains.

In the same year, residents of Kazakhstan became the authors of a petition addressed to UNESCO, with an appeal to the whole world to save the snow leopard. It was initiated by the activists of the environmental movement "Let's protect Kok-Zhailau!", who are rooting for the preservation of the ecosystem of the Ile-Alatau National Park.

State symbol of Kazakhstan

The leopard is a sacred symbol of the Kazakh people and their ancestors, for whom this mysterious and rare beast was a totemic animal and an indispensable character in the works visual arts made in the famous Scythian-Altai animal style.

The snow leopard has become the official symbol of Kazakhstan, proposed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev in his Message to the People - Strategy 2030. In the chapter "Mission of Kazakhstan" there are such historical lines: "By 2030, I am sure, Kazakhstan will become the Central Asian Leopard and will serve as an example for other developing countries."

In 1999, the Kazakh order "Barys" of three degrees was established. In 2000, in the series "Commemorative coins of Kazakhstan from silver" with a circulation of 3,000 pieces, a coin "The Red Book of Kazakhstan: Snow Leopard" with a face value of 500 tenge was issued. His image can be seen on the Kazakh banknote of 10,000 tenge of the 2003 model, and on the Kazakh postage stamp.

The leopard, or rather, the Irbi leopard, was also chosen as the symbol of the Asian Winter Games held in Kazakhstan. And the hockey team of Astana, successfully playing in the KHL, bears the name "Barys" with dignity.

The snow leopard of the Zailiysky Alatau even became the main character in feature film"Tiger of the Snows", filmed by Larisa Mukhamedgalieva and Vyacheslav Belyalov at the Kazakhfilm studio in 1987.

Handsome man on the coat of arms of Almaty

In 1993, thanks to the remarkable artist Shaken Niyazbekov, the author of the flag of Kazakhstan, the leopard began to show off on the coat of arms of Almaty. The uniqueness of the symbolic image of the southern capital lies in the fact that the beast depicted on the coat of arms without a threatening pose and claws extended is probably the only heraldic symbol of the leopard in the world, personifying peacefulness. And the flower in his teeth is a symbol of the prosperity of Kazakhstan and the city, which was then the capital of the state.

Every cat deserves love, affection and decent attitude just like any other animal on the planet. It doesn't matter if it's a cute little pussy or a big and intimidating cat. Each of these 26 wild breeds is on the brink of extinction.

1.Asian cheetah

Once this beautiful breed lived in the territories of Kazakhstan, the Middle East and Central Asia, as well as in some regions of India.

Today, due to the total destruction of the environment, countless poachers and hunters, only about 100 Asiatic cheetahs remain in the world. Just look at this number! All this hundred found refuge in the territory of Iran.

2. Snow leopard

Found in the rocky mountains of Central Asia, snow leopards are perfectly adapted to a cold, desert high-mountain home.

Unfortunately, they have become the subject of widespread hunting for their fur. Now there are about 4000 - 6500 left in the wild.

3.Cat angler

Unlike my cat, who hates wet feet, the angler cat is a skilled swimmer who lives along rivers and streams in mangrove swamps.

In 2008, the angler cat was listed as a critically endangered species, as they live primarily in wetlands, which are now declining very rapidly.

4. Borneo bay cat

mysterious and a little wild cat, which lives only on the island of Borneo. Cutting down trees has become a threat to the habitat of these cats, now they are listed in the Red Book. This is one of the few high quality photos of this cat.

5. Flathead cat

With a slender body and a uniquely shaped head, this cat loves to eat fish and go for walks on its own. Listed in the Red Book since 2008 due to habitat destruction. On the this moment less than 2500 left.

6. Cat of the Andes Mountains

This cat is one of two hundred individuals that have been found on earth.

7. Iberian (Spanish) lynx

The Iberian lynx is considered the most endangered wild cat species in the world, and is one of the rarest mammals on the planet.

Myxomatosis wiped out rabbits in Spain (lynx's main food source) in the 1950s. Now there are about 100 lynxes left in the wild.

8. Cat Manula

These adorables love to spend their time in caves, crevices, or marmot burrows, and emerge at the end of the day to start hunting. Due to the degradation of the habitat as well as the decline of the food base of the cat, it has been under threat since 2002.

9.Margi

Margi is ideal for tree life. It is the only cat that can rotate its hind legs 180°, allowing it to work head down in trees like a squirrel. He can also hang from a branch with one back foot! Over 14,000 Margic are killed annually for their skins. Margs breed only once every 2 years, and the mortality rate of kittens is 50%.

10. Serval

This cat loves to roam African savannah, and has the longest legs of any cat (in relation to body size). Unfortunately, they have become the target of hunting for their skins, which are sold to tourists as "cheetah" or "leopard".

11. Caracal

Also known as the "desert lynx", this cat can produce a barking sound that is possibly used as a warning.

11. African golden cat

It has only recently become possible to obtain a photo of this secretive nocturnal inhabitant.

This is a small wild cat, about twice the size of a domestic cat. Although their lifespan is unknown in the wild, they can live up to 12 years in captivity.

13. Asian golden cat

This cat loves to hang out in tropical and subtropical wet, evergreen and dry deciduous forests. Deforestation and hunting for skin and bones are the reasons why this cat is endangered.

14. Sand cat

This unique cat has a broad head and fur that grows between its toes to protect it from hot surfaces. It is endangered, so hunting for it is prohibited in many countries.

15. Amur leopard

Due to extensive loss of habitat and conflicts with humans, Amur leopards are endangered, there are about 30 of them left in Russia and China.

16. Sumatran tiger

This tiger is the last of the tigers in Indonesia to survive in the wild.

Despite the intensification of the policy law enforcement and the fight against poaching, though this species is dying out. Less than 400 individuals remain in the wild.

17. Clouded leopard

Clouded leopard is considered an evolutionary link between big cats and small ones. They are under threat of habitat loss due to massive deforestation and commercial poaching for the wildlife trade. Less than 10,000 adults remain.

18. Marble cat

Often mistaken for the clouded leopard, this cat is much smaller and has a distinctive bushy tail. The main threat to this cat is believed to be the destruction of its forest habitat throughout Southeast Asia.

19. Leopard cat

This is the first wild cat to be successfully used in a hybrid breeding program resulting in a beautiful and friendly Bengal breed.

20. Maltese tiger

Also known as the "blue tiger", it is very rare tiger one might even say mystical. At the moment it is not known whether there are still living individuals in the wild.

21. Golden Tiger Tabby

The tiger's name does not refer to its species, it is the result of captive breeding of the tiger in the early 1900s.

22. White lion

Not albinos, they are a genetic rarity that happened in the Kruger Canyon in South Africa.

23. Anatolian leopard

For over 30 years, this Turkish leopard was thought to be extinct. In 2013, a shepherd in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır shot down a large cat that was threatening his livestock. Biologists later confirmed that it was an Anatolian leopard. Although it ended sadly, it gives hope that this species may still exist.

24. Red spotted cat, rusty cat

20-30 inches long including tail, and weighing 2 to 3.5 kg, is the smallest wild cat in the world! We know almost nothing about this secretive cat. Unfortunately, this cat was included in the list of "vulnerable" species, because most of it natural environment Habitats have been turned into agricultural land.

25. Scottish wild cat

26. Black-footed cat

0 620