This elusive denizen of the mountains of Central and South Asia, the snow leopard (panthera uncia) inhabits parts of 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The snow leopard is also the national animal of Afghanistan.

Its geographic range, 60 percent of which is in China, runs from the Hindu Kush in eastern Afghanistan and the Syr Darya through the mountains of Pamir, Tian Shan, Karakorum, Kashmir, Kunlun, and the Himalaya to southern Siberia, where the range covers the Russian Altai, Sayan, Tannu-Ola mountains and the mountains to the west of Lake Baikal.

Snow leopards are high-altitude rock specialists, although in Russia they can live at elevation 540-800 m above sea level. They have been recorded in high rocky areas, alpine meadows, alpine steppe shrub, and high altitude forests. They generally live above the tree line at elevations of 2,700-5,000 m. During winter, the snow leopard may descend to lower elevations, but in summer moves back up mountains to the steepest and most remote terrain. In Tibet and Mongolia, they may occupy relatively flat or rolling terrain when there is sufficient cover. There is no single optimal habitat and conditions vary across the range. Habitat use varies with such factors as ease of movement, prey availability, and the presence of predators, competitors, and people. They reportedly prefer broken rocky terrain and irregularly sloping areas, while unfavored habitats include major valleys, forested areas, areas of intense human use, and extensive open areas. These habitats may, however, provide vital regions for connectivity of the species’ range.