A ghost of the high mountains
Snow leopards have thick, smoky-grey coats with dark rosettes and very long, thick tails that they wrap around themselves for warmth. They live at high altitude across the Himalaya and other Asian ranges, often in remote country that few people visit.
A cat that does not roar
Unlike lions and tigers, snow leopards do not roar. They communicate with mews, chuffs, growls and long, drawn-out yowls, particularly in the breeding season. Scent marks and scrapes on rocks are just as important as sound for letting other cats know who is in the area.
Coexisting with herders
The greatest threats are loss of wild prey, retaliatory killing after attacks on livestock and poaching. Community programmes that offer livestock insurance, predator-proof corrals and income from eco-tourism have helped reduce conflict in several regions.
Listen
What it sounds like: Chuffs, mews and yowls; it does not roar like a lion or tiger.
To hear independent recordings, try Freesound. Check each recording’s licence before reusing it. See Media & Sources.
Conservation status follows the IUCN Red List as we understand it at the time of writing. Assessments are revised regularly, so please check the IUCN Red List for the current listing.