What is the scientific name for the snow leopard?

The scientific name for the snow leopard is Panthera uncia. It is a large cat in the family Felidae and the genus Panthera, alongside lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars.

The snow leopard lives across the high mountains of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas, Tibetan Plateau, Pamirs, Mongolia and parts of western China. Its thick, smoky-gray coat, long tail and enlarged paws are adaptations to cold, steep terrain. The tail helps with balance and can be wrapped around the body for warmth.

The species was once placed in its own genus, Uncia, and older references may therefore use Uncia uncia. Modern genetic research places it within Panthera, making Panthera uncia the accepted current name. It is not the same animal as the leopard, Panthera pardus, despite the similar common name.

Snow leopards are elusive and difficult to count because they occupy remote landscapes. They are threatened mainly by prey decline, habitat loss, retaliatory killing and illegal wildlife trade.