A Leopard of A Different Color

A female snow leopard cub, born last June at the Bronx Zoo where more than 90 snow leopards have been raised in captivity.

In the wild, snow leopards are restricted to high-altitude mountains ranges in central Asia, where they prey on wild ungulates such as Marco Polo sheep and markhor, along with a variety of other mammals and bird species. Its thick tail is used for balance while leaping from peak to peak.

Snow leopards are declining due to poaching and persecution among shepherds, though conservationists are working to reduce illegal hunting of this rare and beautiful species.