Diets of the Snow Leopard and the Leopard are very comparable as they have similar digestive systems, body size and energy requirements (13).
(Peter Horrel, www.arkive.org) The Snow LeopardThe Snow Leopard feeds on a variety of large and small prey such as the Siberian ibex (Capra sibrica), Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur), Himalayan tahr (hemitragus jemlahicus), Argali (Ovis ammon) and Marmots (marmota spp). Though they have shown significant preference for the Siberian ibex and the Blue Sheep which weigh 55+/- 5kg as this allows for the maximum long term energy gain (14), (19). The Siberian Ibex (Capra sibrica) (17):
The Blue Sheep (Pseudios nayaur) (6):
| (Fritz Polking, www.arkive.org) The LeopardThe Leopard is a non-selective predator, feeding on a wide variety of prey. However Leopards do tend to prefer animals that are at an optimum weight of 23 kg, occur in small herds and dense habitat as this minimizes the risk of injury to the Leopard. Animals fitting this profile are the Impala, bushbuck and the common duiker, all preferred prey of the Leopard (7). The Impala (Aepyceros melampus) (9):
The Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) (10):
|