Snow Leopard
Panthera uncia
VulnerableFast Facts
About
The snow leopard is an elusive big cat superbly adapted to the harsh, high-altitude deserts and crags of Central Asia. Its smoky-grey coat patterned with dark rosettes provides near-perfect camouflage against rock and snow.
Thick fur, a short muzzle and enlarged nasal cavities help it survive brutal cold and thin air, while its remarkably long tail aids balance on precipitous ground and wraps around the body for warmth.
Behaviour
Solitary and secretive, snow leopards patrol vast home ranges, scent-marking boundaries with scrapes and sprays. They are ambush hunters, using the terrain to approach prey on steep slopes.
Unlike other big cats, snow leopards cannot roar; they communicate with yowls, hisses and a non-aggressive puffing sound called a 'chuff'.
Did you know?
- A snow leopard's tail can be almost as long as its body and stores fat for insulation
- They can leap as far as 15 metres in a single bound across mountain gullies
- Snow leopards are often called the 'ghost of the mountains' because they are so rarely seen
- They frequently bite their own tails, a behaviour thought to help keep their faces warm
Distribution
High mountains of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau
