Just in time for the holidays, the Santa Barbara Zoo is welcoming its coolest new resident, Layan (pronounced LAY-in), a 9-year-old male snow leopard, who recently came from Idaho Falls Zoo.

Snow leopards are currently listed as vulnerable, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Layan came to the Santa Barbara Zoo under the guidance of the Species Survival Plan, a program designed to support the long-term survival of vulnerable and endangered species.

Known throughout the world for its beautiful fur and elusive behavior, snow leopards are  found in the rugged mountains of Central Asia.

The Santa Barbara Zoo’s animal care team is already getting to know his personality as he settles into his new habitat. Guests may “spot” him exploring outdoors more frequently as he becomes increasingly comfortable and familiar with his new home.

Snow leopards have a variety of adaptations that enable them to live in the extreme conditions of the high mountains in Central and South Asia, including large paws that act as snowshoes; thick fur that insulates the body in a variety of temperatures; and enlarged nasal cavities to facilitate breathing in cold climates.

Despite their name, snow leopards are also adapted to thrive during the extreme heat of the summer months, including the grey-white color of their fur, which blends into the environment even when the snow is gone.

Snow leopards are designated on the IUCN List as a vulnerable species, with poaching and habitat loss as its main threats. A number of other factors threaten this species’ survival, including overhunting of prey (like wild sheep and goats), habitat loss, and climate change.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. for members and 9:30 a.m. for general admission until 5 p.m. General admission is $35 for adults, $25 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. Learn more at sbzoo.org.