Snow leopards are as fast and silent as falling snow. Their long, thick fur varies in color, from darker gray to light brown with spots on the head and rings all over the body. Their fur keeps them warm in their cold, dry habitats and serves as great camouflage to help them blend in with their surroundings. They are native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia, however they can be found in many zoos around the world. They travel and live in solitude in rocky mountain ranges. Snow leopards have several adaptations that help them survive in cold and harsh environments. Their small build and thick fur help them stay warm and not lose extra heat. Their large paws help them walk through snow without sinking into it, and their tail helps them maintain balance on uneven mountain terrain. They also use their tail as a scarf, wrapping it around their face for extra warmth when sleeping. Snow leopards also have short, round noses that warm the cold air they breathe. This means that their large nasal cavities make it easier for them to breathe in the thin, cold air before it reaches their sensitive lungs. Snow leopards have short forelimbs and longer hindlimbs so they can launch themselves into the air. They can jump up to thirty feet. Silent and stealthy, snow leopards are the only big cats that cannot roar, earning them the nickname "ghost of the mountains." Snow leopards have a specific scientific classification, just like any other animal. They are in the kingdom Animalia because they are multicellular animals. Their phylum is Chordata because they have spinal cords. They belong to the Mammalia class because they have fur that covers their entire body, they are warm-blooded and... in the center of the paper... and they fight frostbite in the harsh winter. Despite the advantages they have, winter is still an extremely difficult time for snow leopards. Food to prey on is very scarce, forcing them to go lower into the mountains where humans and livestock are found. If they prey on livestock, there is a high possibility that farmers will kill snow leopards before they have a chance to kill their livestock. Late winter is also the mating season for snow leopards, so they will temporarily travel together with another snow leopard for a short period of time. Puppies are born in spring. During this time, female snow leopards will provide for her cubs. However, if they mated last year and had pups, they will not have mated the following year as they are still training their pups a few last things before releasing them into the wild..