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
Similar to other species of cats, the snow leopard's favorite hobby is to sit in cardboard boxes
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.
Snow
leopards inhabit high altitudinal alpine habitats (above image from
Spiti Valley, India)
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.
