Snow leopard
Species
Also known as Panthera uncia, ounce, Uncia uncia, P. uncia
Found in these protected areas
Where this species is documented in the Himalayan parks & reserves on Himopedia.
Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary Dachigam National Park Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary Gangotri National Park Gaurishankar Conservation Area Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary Great Himalayan National Park Hemis National Park Himalaya National Park Jigme Dorji National Park Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Kanwar Sanctuary Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary Khangchendzonga National Park Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary Kugti Sanctuary Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park Nanda Devi National Park Pin Valley National Park Sagarmatha National Park Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuary Torsa Strict Nature Reserve
Background
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a felid species in the genus Panthera. It has a thick whitish to grey fur with black spots on the head and neck, with larger rosettes on the back, flanks and bushy tail. Males are larger than the females, and both sexes have long canine teeth. Its small rounded ears, broad paws, and thick tails are adaptations for living in cold, mountainous environments.
The snow leopard is native to the mountain ranges of Asia, ranging from eastern Hindu Kush, the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau to southern Siberia, Mongolia and western China. It inhabits alpine and subalpine zones at elevations of 3,000–4,500 m (9,800–14,800 ft) featuring cliffs and ridges, but also lives at lower elevations in the northern part of its range. It is a solitary animal and is mostly active at dawn and twilight. It is a carnivore and actively hunts its prey, which include various …
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