Mammals
Snow leopard
Panthera uncia
The snow leopard is the high-altitude cat par excellence, nicknamed the "ghost of the mountains" for how elusive it is. Its smoky spotted coat and very long tail make it perfect for life among rock and snow.
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In short
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a species with IUCN conservation status VU (Vulnerable). It lives between 3,000 and 5,000 metres, on steep slopes and cold plateaus. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the snow leopard live?
It lives between 3,000 and 5,000 metres, on steep slopes and cold plateaus. Its thick tail serves as a balancer and a blanket; its broad paws act like snowshoes. It hunts ibex and other mountain ungulates.
Is the snow leopard endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Vulnerable (VU) with a declining population. Threats include poaching for skins and bones, declines in wild prey, conflict with herders, and climate change pushing its habitat higher.
Facts about the snow leopard
- It lives up to 5,000 metres above sea level.
- Its tail, nearly as long as its body, serves as a balancer and a blanket.
- It cannot roar: its larynx does not allow it.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Panthera uncia (Vulnerable)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.