Snow Leopards are fast runners, good swimmers and excellent climbers. They often hide their food in trees. The leopard's call sounds like a raspy cough, not a roar. Leopards live up to 21 years in captivity.

Anatomy: These graceful, medium-sized cats grow to be about 3 1/2 feet (1 m) long; the tail is about 3 feet (0.9 m) long. Adults weigh from 60-120 pounds (27-55 kg). Males are larger than females.

Snow Leopards have dark rosettes on a creamy white background, camouflaging them in the snow and rocks. Cubs are gray when they are born; there are 2-3 cubs in each litter.

Diet: These large cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) that hunt wild sheep, marmots, pikas, hares, birds, and other animals. Snow Leopards hunt mostly at dusk and at dawn; they are nocturnal.