Readers with keen eyes who clicked in after seeing the title and image, have you found the snow leopard yet? The editor took quite a while to spot it after zooming in. Who would have thought that an animal with such distinct patterns could be so hard to find? The photograph was taken by wildlife photographer Saurabh Desai in the valleys of northern India. Viewers scratched their heads, unable to identify the main character in the image.
At first glance, the photo appears to show a snowy mountain wall covered in a thin layer of white snow, but it hides a big secret. The subject of Desai's photograph is actually a snow leopard, a rare native big cat in the region. The unique patterns of the snow leopard allow it to blend perfectly into the rocky terrain, showcasing an incredible level of camouflage akin to that of a chameleon. Did you spot it?
Time to reveal the answer! If you couldn't find it, don't worry; many others struggled as well. Even locals on-site often find it difficult to spot a snow leopard with the naked eye, which is why they refer to it as "Shan," meaning mountain, as it truly blends into its environment.
“They often say they don't see 'Shan,' but 'Shan' often sees them.” - Saurabh Desai
As Desai noted, when you search for the snow leopard in the photo, you later realize it has been watching you all along! Not every shot from Desai's collection is intended for viewers to play a guessing game, but the snow leopard's remarkable ability to navigate rugged mountains certainly leaves photographers in awe.
Desai's dedication is commendable: “I spent three years searching for these beautiful big cats. When I finally got close to them, I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't speak.” Thanks to Desai's efforts, people around the world can appreciate the beauty of the snow leopard.
