Snow Leopard Panthera uncia

The Snow Leopard is a large, elusive big cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, and parts of Mongolia and Russia. This species is well-adapted to cold, rugged environments at high altitudes, ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 m asl, and is often found in alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and occasionally, forests.

The Snow Leopard has a thick, smoky-gray coat with black rosettes and spots, providing camouflage in its snowy, rocky habitat. Its long, bushy tail helps with balance and warmth, wrapping around its body in cold temperatures. The cat is known for its powerful legs, which are adapted for leaping across rocky terrain, and its wide, padded feet, which act like snowshoes. Snow Leopards are solitary, nocturnal hunters that prey on animals such as mountain goats, sheep, hares, and smaller mammals.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

IWLPA: Schedule I

CITES: Appendix I