Snow Leopards

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are one of the many creatures that inhabit the Bamboo Kingdom.

Habitat

Snow leopards reside in the White Spine Mountains.

Naming System

Similar to the leopards in Bravelands, another series by the Erin Hunter team, snow leopard names consist of two parts. The first part is something to do with cold (e.g. Snowstorm, Winter, Shiver), or a characteristic of the leopards themselves (e.g. Ghost). The second part consists of the words, "Born of," and then their mother's name (e.g. Shiver Born of Winter). Snow leopards are commonly referred to by their first name, but, in formal situations, their full name is used.

This naming system extends to other animals named by snow leopards, as was the case with Ghost Born of Winter, a panda adopted by the snow leopard Winter.

Religion

Snow leopards worship a deity called the Snow Cat.

Society

Similar to giant pandas (prior to the flood), snow leopards aren't a particularly social species. Snow leopards don't share their land with their mates, even if they have offspring. Instead, cubs are raised by their mother without any support from the father. Once snow leopards are full-grown, they either leave their natal lands willingly or are driven out by their mother. If the mother dies before her cubs are considered grown, the cubs inherit the mother’s territory but are forced to fend for themselves at a younger age. An orphan cub’s age and inexperience makes them especially vulnerable to rival snow leopards, who may seize the opportunity to take over the cub’s land.

Right of Passage

Snow leopards are considered independent when they cross the Endless Maw. Snow leopards practice for their right of passage by using the spires stationed in the mouth of the maw as a bridge. If a snow leopard doesn't complete their right of passage, they are deemed unfit to survive in the White Spine, and presumably die young.

After completing the right of passage, the Snow Cat’s paw prints will guide them to a new path.

List of Known Snow Leopards

• Brisk
• Frost
• Icebound
• Shiver
• Sleet
• Snowstorm
• Winter
• Flurry

Gallery

A snow leopard illustration that appears at the beginning of some of the chapters in Creatures of the Flood