Game Animals of India, etc. 



only in the neighbourhood of the snowy range of the 

 Himalaya, as well as in Ladak and Tibet, but extending 

 in a north-westerly direction to Gilgit, Hunza, and 

 Nagar, and being likewise met with in Turkestan, 

 Trans-Baikalia, Amurland, and North- Western China. 

 Its reported extension into Persia is, however, more 

 than doubtful, and its alleged occurrence in the 

 Caucasus is due to specimens of the Persian variety 

 of the leopard having been mistaken for this species. 

 Although usually found at elevations above 8000 feet 

 (and probably ascending to 18,000 or 20,000 feet), in 

 winter it descends as low as about 6000 in the Gilgit 

 district. 



Beyond the fact of its living for the most part in 

 open, and frequently snow-clad, country (for which its 

 colour is no doubt specially adapted), there does not 

 appear to be much calling for special mention in the 

 habits of this species, although our information on 

 this subject is far from being as full as desirable. 

 Comparatively few specimens are seen by European 

 sportsmen, and still fewer bagged. The present writer 

 once had a good view of one of these animals ascending 

 a hill at some distance off in Ladak, and Mr. Darrah 

 relates how on one occasion in the same district he 

 suddenly came across a snow-leopard lying on a rock, 

 although only the head and a portion of its thick tail 

 were visible. This animal had recently killed a bullock, 

 of which the carcase lay near by, and, after the manner 

 of the Indian leopard, it returned to the " kill " in the 

 evening, although Mr. Darrah was not fortunate 

 enough to add its skin to his trophies. 



Away from the neighbourhood of human habitations 

 the prey of the snow-leopard comprises bharal, shapo, 

 young argali, ibex, and probably an occasional chiru 

 and goa gazelle. Near villages, however, or in the 

 vicinity of Tatar encampments, the animal turns its 

 attention to domesticated sheep, goats, ponies, and 

 occasionally, as in the instance mentioned above, cattle. 



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