Uncia uncia, commonly known as the snow leopard, is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. It has a thick fur coat that is typically gray with black spots and rosettes. Its long tail is used for balance and can measure up to 3 feet in length. Snow leopards inhabit alpine and subalpine zones at elevations between 9,800 and 17,000 feet. They typically live for 12 to 15 years in the wild and their current population is estimated to be between 4,080 and 6,590 individuals.
Name Origin: The scientific name of the snow leopard, Uncia uncia, is derived from the Latin word for "inch" or "one-twelfth" (uncius). This is likely a reference to the snow leopard's large, furry paws, which measure about one-twelfth of a meter in length.
Related Species: Panthera uncia, Lynx lynx, Lynx rufus, Lynx pardinus, Lynx canadensis