There may be 4,500 – 7,500 snow leopards left in the wild. Snow Leopards are confirmed to live in 12 countries of Central Asia. Up to a third of the snow leopard’s range falls along international borders. Relations between some of the countries are hostile, complicating conservation initiatives. Snow leopards prefer steep, rugged terrain with cliffs, ridges, gullies, and slopes interspersed with rocky outcrops. These rare, beautiful gray leopards live in the mountains of Central Asia. They are insulated by thick hair, and their wide, fur-covered feet act as natural snowshoes. Snow leopards have powerful legs and are tremendous leapers, able to jump as far as 50 feet (15 meters). They use their long tails for balance and as blankets to cover sensitive body parts against the severe mountain chill. Though these powerful predators can kill animals three times their weight, they also eat smaller fare, such as marmots, hares, and game birds.
Bibliography: http://snowleopardconservancy.org/how-we-work-2/?gclid=CMjnxqWi3cMCFRApaQodf3EA1w
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/snow-leopard/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/snow-leopard/