Warning: after watching this precious clip of baby snow leopard cubs at the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Wichita, Kansas, you just might have baby animal fever!
The text overlay on the video reads, “What does a snow leopard cub sound like?” The answer is teeny-tiny, picture-perfect shrieks that are honestly music to everyone’s ears.
These precious babies are like two adorable stuffed animals come to life!
@tanganyikawildlifepark Have you been by our nursery lately? If so you may have noticed the two newest snow leopard cubs. These guys are super cute and extremely noisy! But speaking of noisy did you know that snow leopards can’t roar? They lack a structure in their throat called the hyoid bone. They can make other noises like growls, chuffs, and yowls, as well as these cute little squeaks. #snowleopard #leopard #cat #cub
Why does nature make these soon-to-be “danger cats” so incredibly adorable if we’re not supposed to want to pick them up and cuddle them forever?
Related: Zookeepers Take Adorable Video When They Notice Snow Leopard Playing
However, the deceptive snow leopard is… not for cuddling!
Living in the mountains of Central Asia, snow leopards make their home in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. They dwell at high elevations, where they can take down prey up to three times their own weight (which ranges from 77 to 121 lbs, depending on sex). Their diet includes deer, pikas, marmots, sheep, and other small to mid-sized mammals.
According to snowleopard.org, these majestic cats come fully equipped for mountain life:
- Big paws: Like natural snowshoes, they prevent the cat from sinking into snow.
- Extra-long tail: Adds balance and doubles as a cozy wrap for warmth.
- Thick, dense fur: Insulates them against the cold.
- Short, rounded ears: Minimize heat loss in icy winds.
Their pale grey or cream-colored coats, patterned with smoky grey or black rosettes, act as perfect camouflage in rocky terrain. These markings often grow even paler in winter, blending with snow-covered landscapes.
Current estimates suggest there are between 3,920 and 6,390 snow leopards left in the wild. Pinning down an exact number is tricky, as their habitat stretches over 2 million km² across 12 countries, with roughly 60% of it located in China.
Although their conservation status was recently upgraded from endangered to vulnerable, snow leopards still face serious threats: poaching, habitat loss, retaliatory killings by herders, and climate change. In the Himalayas alone, up to 30% of their habitat may be lost due to shifting climate patterns.
Related: Snow Leopard Has the Most Hilarious Reaction When Zookeepers Put a Pumpkin in His Enclosure
So yes, while those baby squeaks and floofy faces may scream “cuddle me,” let’s remember these little fur missiles grow up to be solitary, high-altitude prowlers with serious mountain skills. Respect them from afar, support conservation efforts, and enjoy the baby fever safely—through your screen, where no one loses a hand.