Snow leopards tend to mate towards the end of winter, meaning cubs are born between April and June. Females give birth to 2 – 3 cubs inside a rocky den lined with fur shed from their undersides. Snow leopard cubs are initially blind, but open their eyes at around 7 days old and are fully weaned by 10 weeks old.

Like kittens, snow leopard cubs are small and helpless at birth – they do not open their eyes until they are about 7 days old. For about two or three months, newborn cubs will remain in their well-protected den site, shielded away from predators. Their mother will stay close during that time, frequently returning to the den to nurse her cubs.

Female snow leopards reach maturity at around 3 years old and that is usually when they have their first litter. Each litter consists of an average of 2 babies but can be as many as 5. Babies stay with their mother until they are around 2 years old and then they venture off on their own to find new territories.