The Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), sometimes known as "Ounce," is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia. The classification of this species has been subject to change and its exact taxonomic position will not be resolved until further studies are conducted.
It cannot roar, despite possessing an incomplete ossification of the hyoid bone. The presence of this ossification was previously thought to be essential for allowing the big cats to roar. However, new studies show that the ability to roar is due to other morphological features, especially of the larynx, which are absent in the snow leopard.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_Leopard
Photos & Videos:
http://www.snowleopard.org
