The snow leopard (Panthera uncia syn. Uncia uncia) is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because as of 2003, the size of the global population was estimated at 4,080-6,590 adults, of which fewer than 2,500 individuals may reproduce in the wild.

Glass artist Kiva Ford draws from his vast experience in scientific glassblowing to create perfect miniatures of wine glasses, beakers, and ribbon-striped vases, some scarcely an inch tall. A member of the American Scientific Glassblowers Society, Kiva creates instruments for scientists who require one-of-a-kind designs for various experiments. The same techniques and tools used for scientific equipment also apply to his artistic practice including the miniature works you see here, as well as larger sculptures, and ornate drinkware.

A dramatic rise in owning exotic pets in China is fuelling global demand for threatened species. The growing trade in alligators, snakes, monkeys, crocodiles and spiders is directly linked to species loss in some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems. Here: A fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) is groomed in a pet store in central Beijing. Native to the Sahara in North Africa, the species became a popular pet after being depicted as a character in Disney’s 2016 animated movie Zootopia. Individuals can cost between $2,000–$3,000. (Photo by Sean Gallagher/The Guardian)

“Smudge” an orphaned echidna puggle is held by Veterinary nurse Sarah Male ahead of its feeding on November 07, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. Echidnas, sometimes known as spiny anteaters, are native to Australia. A baby echidna was found orphaned by the side of the road and is being cared for at Sydney's Taronga Zoo hospital. The care is intensive with several feedings per day, and the echidna is housed in temperature-controlled environment to aid its recovery and growth. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

“The Red-eyed Treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas) is an arboreal hylid native to Neotropical rainforests in Central America. Red-eyed tree frogs, as their name states, have red eyes with vertically narrowed noses, a vibrant green body with yellow and blue vertically striped sides, and orange or yellow webbed feet and toes”. – Wikipedia. (Photo by Donald Quintana)

An Emperor Tamarin monkey, native to the Amazon rainforest, experiences its new home in the living rainforest enclosure at ZSL London Zoo on March 25, 2010 in London, England. Entitled “Rainforest Life” the large temperature and humidity controlled bio-dome is home to free-roaming monkeys, sloths, tree anteaters and tropical birds. The exhibit, which is opening in the International Year of Biodiversity, will be open to the public from March 27, 2010. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Photographer David Lazar captured photos of native Dessana tribe, nearly 3,000 miles away from Brazil's capital. Tribe is only accessible by boat from city of Manaus. Surrounded by trees, waterfalls and tropical wildlife, this Amazon tribe is a world away from the beaches of Rio.