Snow leopard (Panthera uncia).
Image: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The snow leopard is an elusive big cat of the high mountains of Central and South Asia, superbly adapted to cold, rugged terrain. It is assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Its thick coat, long tail, and broad paws suit a life among cliffs and alpine meadows, where it preys mainly on wild sheep and goats.
Range & habitat
High mountains of Central and South Asia, across the Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, and neighbouring ranges.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Poaching and illegal trade in pelts and bones
- Retaliatory killing over livestock losses
- Loss and fragmentation of mountain habitat
Why it matters
As a top predator of high-mountain ecosystems, the snow leopard is an indicator of the health of some of Asia's most important watersheds.
Gallery
A snow leopard — Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Image: Tambako The Jaguar, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
Sources for Snow Leopard
- IUCN Red List — look up Snow Leopard (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the snow leopard Vulnerable rather than Endangered?
Where do snow leopards live?
Last updated: