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That stoic Amur leopard’s image was posted six days ago from Siberia.

With much of my own country in the deep freeze this morning, it seemed a good idea to highlight one of the silver linings in cold weather and then finish with some heart-warming cuteness from the Sahara.

1. Let’s start with some tiger zen:

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https://youtu.be/_UCNNecavII&rel=0

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2. I don’t know the backstory behind these Russians who have both a Rotweiler and a melanistic leopard (two great pals, apparently), but the videos are fascinating.

In this one, young Luna encounters snow for the first time.

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https://youtu.be/YzFG6uL3VT0&rel=0

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3. The next one could have been set in the last ice age — don’t laugh.

We’re used to seeing lions in warm climates, but these adaptable generalists were once much more numerous and ranged up into high latitudes, along with their cousin Homotherium, the sabercat.

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https://youtu.be/j2r5IThjFk8&rel=0

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4. Time to warm up!

This research team accidentally came across the den while on the way to another site.

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https://youtu.be/tGdL-34L-GE&rel=0

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Six hours later, the camera trap they installed took more footage during the day.

Here’s more information on sand cats.

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Featured image: Amur leopard, by Land of the Leopard

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