MOUNTAIN THE OF GHOST 1 Chapter Two scientists stood on a bitterly cold mountain slope in Mongolia a country in Asia They scanned the opposite mountain ridge with binoculars The steady beeping of a snow leopard’s radio collar told them the big cat was very near Why couldn’t they spot this big predator All they could see was swirling snow and foggy cliffs
After scanning the slope a long time the frustrated scientists gave up The beeping from the cat’s collar had grown silent Once again the big cat known as the ghost of the mountain had somehow escaped without being seen Big Cat Fact Snow leopards make a lot of sounds They may hiss meow growl and make other noises However they can’t roar predator an animal that hunts other animals for food
Hiding from People People have a big effect on how snow leopards live In general snow leopards are most active around sunrise and sunset In areas where there are few people snow leopards may be active during the day too In places where there are many people snow leopards may be most active at night The big cats try to avoid any contact with people BIG BUT ALMOST INVISIBLE Snow leopards are big cats An adult snow leopard weighs between 60 and 120 pounds 27 and 54 kilograms It stands about 2 feet 0.6 meter tall at the shoulder It stretches 6 to 7.5 feet 1.8 to 2.3 m from its head to the base of its tail
Big Cat Fact Snow leopards have the longest tails of any cats A snow leopard’s tail is about as long as its body Size Comparison Chart The average height of an American male is 5 feet 10 inches 178 centimeters
