Two snow leopard cubs that had barely opened their eyes were waiting anxiously in their den for their mom. When she returned, she started to feed and lick the two babies. The family's intimate moment was captured on camera on Tuesday.

Snow leopards are under first-class state protection in China.

The cubs usually open their eyes about one week after birth, and will be ready to leave the den when they are around two to four months of age, but they will stay with their mother for about another year and a half until they become independent.

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Family of snow leopards takes a stroll in NW China nature reserve

(Cover image via VCG)

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