Where is the snow leopard found?

The snow leopard is found in the high mountains of Central Asia. Its range stretches across 12 countries:

* China

* India

* Nepal

* Bhutan

* Pakistan

* Afghanistan

* Tajikistan

* Kyrgyzstan

* Uzbekistan

* Mongolia

* Russia

* Kazakhstan

They prefer rugged, mountainous terrain with rocky cliffs, steep slopes, and sparse vegetation, typically above 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) in elevation.