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Fox, J.L.; Chundawat, R.S.
Observations of snow leopard stalking, killing, and feeding behavior
1988 Mammalia (52): 137-140
Our observation of the snow leopard's stalking and killing was essentially consistent with other accounts of snow leopard use of steep cliffs as cover in stalking (Dang 1967; Kuznetsov and Matyushkin 1980), and its use of a suffocating throat bite in killing large prey (Schaller 1977). In the case of the female snow leopard, the use of shrub cover for stalking is consistent with other large felids, although it has not been reported previously for snow leopard. The male snow leopard beginning its feeding on the goat's vicera is in contrast to Schaller's (1977) observation that initial snow leopard feeding leaves the digestive tract intact. Feeding from either a squatting or lying position is consistent with other large felids. The snow leopard's long stay (5 days) at the kill site, despite disturbances, appears to be characteristic of this species (Schaller 1977), and has probably contributed to its endangered status because of the consequent case of killing it.
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