The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as the ounce, is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. Here’s a description of its distribution by country:

1. Afghanistan: Snow leopards are found in parts of Afghanistan, particularly in the mountainous regions of the Hindu Kush and Pamir mountains in the northeastern and central parts of the country.
2. Bhutan: Snow leopards inhabit the mountainous regions of Bhutan, particularly in the Himalayas and other high-altitude areas in the northern parts of the country.
3. China: China is home to a significant population of snow leopards, with the cats found in various mountain ranges across the country, including the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Altai Mountains in western China.
4. India: Snow leopards are found in the mountainous regions of India, particularly in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. They inhabit high-altitude areas in the Himalayas and other mountain ranges.
5. Kazakhstan: Snow leopards are found in parts of Kazakhstan, particularly in the Tien Shan and Altai Mountains in the southeastern and eastern parts of the country.
6. Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan is home to snow leopards, particularly in the mountainous regions of the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains in the eastern and southern parts of the country.
7. Mongolia: Snow leopards inhabit various mountain ranges in Mongolia, including the Altai Mountains, the Khangai Mountains, and the Gobi Altai range in the western and southwestern parts of the country.
8. Nepal: Snow leopards are found in Nepal, particularly in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas, including the Sagarmatha National Park and the Annapurna Conservation Area.
9. Pakistan: Pakistan is home to snow leopards, particularly in the mountainous regions of the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Himalayas in the northern parts of the country.
10. Tajikistan: Snow leopards inhabit the mountainous regions of Tajikistan, particularly in the Pamir and Tien Shan mountains in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country.
11. Uzbekistan: Snow leopards are found in parts of Uzbekistan, particularly in the mountainous regions of the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country.

Snow leopards are highly adapted to their cold and rugged mountain habitat, with thick fur, large paws, and long tails that help them navigate steep terrain and maintain balance in snowy conditions. They are elusive and solitary cats, known for their secretive nature and cryptic coat pattern, which provides effective camouflage in their rocky surroundings.

Despite their wide distribution across Central and South Asia, snow leopards are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, retaliatory killings by herders, and climate change. Conservation efforts are underway in many countries to protect snow leopard populations and their habitats, including the establishment of protected areas, community-based conservation initiatives, and anti-poaching measures.