Nepal
Snow Leopard
Meet the snow leopard! High in the icy peaks of the Himalayas, this beautiful big cat is so quiet and well-hidden that few people have ever spotted one in the wild.
Why is it special?
It lives higher up in the mountains than almost any other big cat, prowling rocky slopes up to 18,000 feet high.
Its thick, pale fur with dark rosette spots blends in so perfectly with snow and rock that people call it the 'ghost of the mountains.'
How does it live?
A snow leopard's huge paws act like natural snowshoes, spreading its weight so it doesn't sink into deep snow.
Its long, thick tail — almost as long as its whole body — helps it balance on steep cliffs and wraps around its body like a cozy blanket.
Amazing facts
A snow leopard can leap up to 50 feet in a single bound — about the length of a school bus!
It has the densest fur of any big cat, with thousands of hairs packed into every inch to survive temperatures of -40°F.
Quick facts
- A snow leopard can leap up to 50 feet in a single bound — about the length of a school bus!
- It has the densest fur of any big cat, with thousands of hairs packed into every inch to survive temperatures of -40°F.
- Snow leopards can't roar like lions and tigers — instead they chuff, mew, and purr.
- Scientists believe there are only around 4,000 to 6,500 snow leopards left in the wild.