Habitat

Snow leopards live in regions with little vegetation and a predominantly cold, dry continental climate, with temperatures ranging from around minus 40 degrees Celsius in winter to plus 20 degrees in summer. Such areas are found in the high mountains of the Russian Altai region, the “celestial mountains” of Tian Shan, the Pamir mountains and the Hindu Kush, the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau, and the Gobi Desert.

Snow leopards have a marked preference for steep, rugged terrain. They like to be on mountainsides and prefer distinctive rock formations such as ridges, precipitous slopes and ravines. This gives them the best vantage point, and allows early identification of potential prey animals.

The rocky terrain offers good cover for hunting. In winter snow leopards often move to lower altitudes to avoid deep snow or follow the migrations of their prey animals.