One of the most secretive and elusive creatures in the wild also boasts arguably the most insane hunting skills on the planet.
With numbers estimated to be between 2,500 and 10,000, they’re pretty hard to find, and even harder to study, but from what we know, they’re some of the most fearsome hunters in the animal kingdom.
With specialized warming sinuses, massive (snow shoe-like) paws, and insanely thick fur, they’re are built for living in the harshest of cold temperatures, and their camouflage is as good as any animal in the world.
But make no mistake, nothing about life is easy for snow leopards. Known as “Ghosts of the Mountain” a solitary lifestyle atop the snow-covered rocky peaks of the Himalayas is Mother Nature at her absolute harshest.
Next time you open DoorDash or Uber Eats because you’re too lazy to walk out to your car and drive down the street for a burrito, just be glad you’ve never had to tumble 200 feet down the side of an icy, jagged cliff just to satisfy your hunger.
This female literally tackles a blue sheep off a cliff, and doesn’t let go the entire way down.
Now, you’d think to yourself, at what cost? Why risk significant injury just to secure a meal? Well, this big kitty was completely unharmed and emerged three days later on the same rocky mountainside, looking for her next meal.
Go big or go home, right?