In the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve, scientists determined the sex of the kittens of the female snow leopard Musi (video)

In the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve, observations of a family of snow leopards continue: female Musya and her three kittens, born in 2025.

The reserve's press service reported that the recent expedition made it possible to determine the sex of the kittens, as well as collect interesting facts about the snow leopard on the northern border of its range.

Today the kittens are about 10 months old. It is known that young snow leopards begin to live independently at about one and a half years of age. Until this time, they relentlessly follow their mother, learning to hunt and survive in the wild. Like all cubs, snow leopards at this age are playful. They actively explore the world around them, train their agility and hone their skills.

There are almost 100 photo recorders operating on the territory of the reserve, which provide unique materials. In one of the videos, young snow leopards are enthusiastically watching for each other, suddenly attacking, tearing their brothers off their paws and huddling together in a common ball. The photo recorders themselves are of particular interest to them. Small predators try to tear it from its installation site, pull the belt and carefully examine the device.

“These observations are not only pleasing to the eye, but also have great scientific value. It was thanks to daytime video recordings that we were able to determine the sex of all three kittens. U Musi females grow into two males and one female. The characteristic spots of each snow leopard are clearly visible in the footage, which will make it possible in the near future to compile individual passports for young snow leopards and continue their remote monitoring,” — said senior researcher Roman Afanasev.

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