Species Spotlight: Snow Leopard

A snow leopard looks to the right wearing a satellite collar and sitting on a rocky slope

Questions and Answers

What does a snow leopard use its tail for?
Its tail provides balance while moving about the craggy terrain of their mountain habitat, as well as for warmth and protection from the cold when wrapped around its body.

Why are snow leopards call “ghosts of the mountains?”
Because of their elusive nature and camouflaged fur, they are rarely seen.

Do snow leopards roar?
Unlike other large cats, snow leopards cannot roar. They can mew, growl, yowl and prusten. Prusten, also referred to as chuffing, is a non-threatening vocalization made by blowing through their nose while their mouth is closed.

 

  • Snow Leopard

    Habitat

    The rugged and mountainous terrain of Central Asia and the Himalayan region

  • Snow Leopard

    Diet

    The diet of the snow leopard varies by region and season but consists mostly of wild sheep and goats, and smaller animals such as pikas, zokrs and marmots.

  • Snow leopard walking across snow

    Threats

    Hunting for the illegal wildlife trade and revenge killings by herders; habitat loss and diminished food supply

  • Snow Leopard

    Interesting Fact

    With long hind legs and shortened front limbs, snow leopards are incredible jumpers, able to leap 20 to 50 feet through the air, or straight up into a tree or onto a cliff, simply to perch and rest.

Learn more about snow leopards

 

Species from other months

 

How You Can Help

Repeal Oil and Gas Programs in the Arctic Refuge

Join us and ask your Member of Congress to support including repealing the Arctic Refuge oil and gas program in the budget reconciliation package

Adopt a Snow Leopard

Make a symbolic snow leopard adoption to help save some of the world's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF's conservation efforts.