Changes

==Range and habitat==

==Range and habitat==

Snow leopards are found the mountainous areas of central Asia, generally between 9,000 to 13,000 feet elevation, with the majority within Tibet.  Snow leopards inhabit alpine and sub-alpine zones consisting mainly of conifers as tree cover; within these zones they favor gullies, cliffs, outcroppings, and other areas of steep terrain.  In their northern range limit in Russia they are found at lower elevations, at no higher than 7,800 elevation.  They will exist within non-forested areas, such as the flat or rolling terrain of Mongolia, as long as cover is present to enable them to hunt successfully.

Snow leopards are found the mountainous areas of central Asia, generally between 9,000 and 13,000 feet elevation, with the majority within Tibet.  Snow leopards inhabit alpine and sub-alpine zones consisting mainly of conifers as tree cover; within these zones they favor gullies, cliffs, outcroppings, and other areas of steep terrain.  In their northern range limit in Russia they are found at lower elevations, at no higher than 7,800 elevation.  They will exist within non-forested areas, such as the flat or rolling terrain of Mongolia, as long as cover is present to enable them to hunt successfully.

==Diet==

==Diet==

Prey species include bharal (''Pseudois nayaur''), ibex (''Capra sibirica''), as well as smaller fare such as rodents, pikas, hares, and birds.  In areas where natural prey was pushed out in favor of human agriculture snow leopards will feed on domestic livestock, with some areas reporting the cats have domestic sources as 53% of their diet<ref>http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22732/0</ref>.

Prey species include bharal (''Pseudois nayaur''), ibex (''Capra sibirica''), as well as smaller fare such as rodents, pikas, hares, and birds.  In areas where natural prey was pushed out in favor of human agriculture snow leopards will feed on domestic livestock, with some areas reporting the cats have domestic sources as 53% of their diet.<ref>http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22732/0</ref>

==Threats==

==Threats==

Snow leopards may be killed by tigers or brown bears in areas where these species overlap; however, their chief threat is man, resulting in a decline of some 20% over the past 16 years.  Habitat disruption for logging and farming has pushed these cats deeper into the mountainous areas.  Persecution of the cats for attacks on domestic animals, as well as the spurious traditional medicine trade (where it is a substitute for tigers) have further reduced their numbers<ref>http://www.panthera.org/node/11</ref>.  

Snow leopards may be killed by tigers or brown bears in areas where these species overlap; however, their chief threat is man, resulting in a decline of some 20% over the past 16 years.  Habitat disruption for logging and farming has pushed these cats deeper into the mountainous areas.  Persecution of the cats for attacks on domestic animals, as well as the spurious traditional medicine trade (where it is a substitute for tigers) have further reduced their numbers.<ref>http://www.panthera.org/node/11</ref>   

Military conflict in the Hindu-Kush region of [[Afghanistan]] has also been cited for the reduction of snow leopards with this area.  As of 2006, the overall population of these cats is a high of 6,590, broken down as follows:<ref>http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22732/0</ref>

Military conflict in the Hindu-Kush region of [[Afghanistan]] has also been cited for the reduction of snow leopards with this area.  As of 2006, the overall population of these cats is a high of 6,590, broken down as follows:<ref>http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22732/0</ref>

==References==

==References==

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{{Nb_zl_felines}}