L.A. Zoo Debuts Pair Of Snow Leopard Cubs

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: A pair of rare snow leopard cubs go on display at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens on September 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The cubs, which have not yet been named, were born at the zoo on May 26 to a cat named Asia. Native to remote high mountains in Asia, only about 5,000 to 7,000 snow leopards are believed to remain in the wild. The cats can tolerate temperature extremes ranging from 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit to as high as 104 degrees. They can leap 45 feet and kill prey that is two- to three-times their size. Snow leopards are at the top of the food chain and considered an indicator species. Ecosystems that support a high number of snow leopards are believed to be healthy. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)