Habitat: Alpine habitat along the Mongolian and Tibetan Plateau

Range: High mountains in Central Asia (Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan)

Natural Diet: Mountain goats (Himalayan tahr and markhor), sheep (bharal and argali), young yak, hares and birds

Status in the Wild: THREATENED

Fun Facts

• The snow leopard is the only big cat that is only found in high altitude habitats and cold climates

• Their fur is almost five inches thick to keep them warm through the winter months

• They are expert climbers that climb vertical cliffs and rock surfaces effortlessly

• Did you know that snow leopards do not roar! They chuff, yowl, purr, mew, and growl.

• Their thick white coats with black rosettes help these cats camouflage in alpine habitats.

Conservation Threats

• The major threats are habitat loss, some agricultural practices, and logging trees for firewood.

• Illegal hunting and trade for fur also has a detrimental influence on their wild numbers