Snow Leopard
Panthera uncia
- 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 and helps 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 trading their fur also has had a detrimental influence on their wild numbers.
