t Asia because of its large size and extra thick, long coat. A male tiger's territory can cover up to twenty-five square miles, while a female's territory can cover about ten square miles. There are only about 150-200 Siberian tigers remaining in the wild. About five hundred Siberian tigers are kept captive and managed in private zoos.Like most endangered species, the Siberian tiger was brought to the brink of extinction by destruction of their habitat and hunters. Tigers were mainly hunted for their body parts for traditional Chinese medicine and for material things, such as rugs and coats. Siberian tigers got legal protection in 1992 when the Law of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection and Management of 1992 came out. The Siberian tiger is also protected under CITES, which is an agreement among over one hundred countries to stop illegal trade in animals and plants. Right now, the only place in the wild with enough Siberian tigers to keep the species going is Russia.Snow LeopardThe uncia uncia, also known as the snow leopard, can be found in the wild in Central Asia. The snow leopard is easily able to adapt to cold weather because of its strong chest muscles, which can be used for climbing, its large and padded forepaws, which can be used for walking in the snow, and its large coat. Just like tigers, snow leopards are solitary animals that associate only when they mate. The snow leopard is recognized by its coat, which is long and gray and has spots all over its body.The snow leopard habitat is located in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, along the Karakorum and Pamir ranges. The habitat can also be found in the Tien Shan, Altai, and Sayan mountain ranges. The snow leopard is sparsely located throughout these ranges. The snow leopard can also be seen in arid and semi-arid habitats. The preferred prey for the snow leopard is the bharal, but can also include marmots, musk deer, and livestoc...
