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Why snow leopards have such big tails

by Jo.H

Snow leopards come from Southern and central Asia. They are said to be a link between the big cats. They do not roar although they do have the anatomy to do so. They are more closely related to the Cheetah than a leopard so their name is a bit misleading.

A snow leopards tail is almost as long as its body. It is very furry and so holds its heat well. The snow leopard has developed a unique way of warming the air before it reaches its lungs. It holds its tail over its nose and mouth, filtering the air and warming it before it can damage its delicate lung tissue.
They also use the warmth of their tails to wrap around their bodies as they sleep, thereby keeping themselves warm at night.

The snow leopards tails is also used to balance. Due to the rough terrain and the sudden changes of direction when hunting, the leopard uses its tail much like a counter balance, swinging it out to help on tight turns.

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