WaleedA snow leopard is a medium-sized cat but it has powerfully built stocky body. The leopard’s hind legs are long and possibly strong enough to give agility on land. Snow leopards can run at a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour though they cannot maintain this much speed for longer time. They will only attain the maximum speed over short bursts. While they give up in long chases, snow leopards usually run at 35 – 40 miles per hour—enough to catch any land predator moving into the mountains of Himalayas.
While they give up in long chases, snow leopards usually run at 35 – 40 miles per hour—enough to catch any land predator moving into the mountains of Himalayas.
Like puma, the snow leopard’s hind limbs are relatively longer. Cheetah, on the other hand, seems to lack one. But cheetah can run much faster than either of these big cats which may be because the cheetah’s limb bones are probably lighter and relatively thinner. While the body proportions of snow leopard and cheetah appears to be same the snow leopard’s hind limbs are better suitable for jumping as compared to running.
References and Further Reading
Brakefield, Tom; (2002).Big Cats. Chicago: Voyageur Press. pp. 94–95.
