A study led by Stanford University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has revealed that snow leopards have the lowest genetic diversity of any big cat species—lower even than cheetahs, long known for their genetic bottlenecks. Researchers analysed whole-genome data from 37 individual snow leopards and uncovered that this low diversity is not the result of recent inbreeding, but rather a reflection of the species’ long-term demographic history.
The study concludes that snow leopards have existed in small, isolated populations for thousands of years, which has severely limited the exchange of genetic material across regions. Interestingly, this long-standing isolation may have allowed harmful genetic mutations to be purged over time. However, while this may have provided some evolutionary resilience, it has come at a steep cost.
Low genetic diversity poses a significant risk to the species, particularly in the face of climate change. As environments change rapidly, the ability of a species to adapt is crucial. Snow leopards, with their limited genetic toolkit, may struggle to survive shifting temperatures, shrinking prey bases, and encroaching human activity. Their historical isolation, once a buffer against some evolutionary pressures, could now become a barrier to survival.
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), often referred to as the “ghost of the mountains”, is one of the most elusive big cats in the world. Perfectly adapted to the cold, high-altitude regions of Central and South Asia, this solitary predator roams the alpine and subalpine zones across 12 countries, including China, India, Nepal, and Russia. Typically residing at elevations between 3,000 and 4,500 metres, snow leopards prefer rugged, broken terrain with cliffs and ravines—ideal for stalking prey and staying hidden.
Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, snow leopards face a multitude of threats despite their remote habitats. Habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict continue to chip away at their survival prospects.
Snow leopards are classified as vulnerable due to threats such as habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and now, genetic limitations that affect their adaptability to climate change.
The study found that snow leopards have the lowest genetic diversity of any big cat, making them more susceptible to environmental changes and reducing their ability to adapt over time.
No. Researchers concluded the low diversity is not due to recent inbreeding, but rather a long evolutionary history of small, isolated populations.
Snow leopards inhabit the alpine and subalpine regions of Central and South Asia, including countries like China, India, Nepal, and Russia. They prefer steep, rocky terrain at high elevations.
Low genetic diversity limits the species’ ability to adapt to rapid environmental changes, such as those driven by climate change, making them more vulnerable to extinction.