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ClodedLeopard
Body:75 – 110 cm
Tail:Up to 90 cm
Weight:10 – 23 kg

Clouded Leopard

Neofelis nebulosa

Description:
The clouded leopard gets its name from the distinctive cloud-like markings on its body, head, legs and tail. The legs are quite short and the feet are large, with powerful claws. As a result, Clouded leopards are one of the best climbers in the cat family, able to climb upside down underneath tree branches and hang from branches with their hind feet. The clouded leopard has the longest canines, relatively speaking, compared to all other living cats. It is thought to share some genetics with the Sabre Tooth Tiger. This leopard species has a life span of between 11 and 17 years. They are classed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN red list; international trade of the leopard is banned under Appendix I of CITES.

Did you know...?

…that clouded leopards have especially adapted ankles and paws which allow them to hang upside down from tree branches and climb down head-first?

Tail:
The pelt ranges from ochre to tawny to silver-grey, and is distinctively marked with large, irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ellipses which are said to be shaped like clouds. The undersides and legs are usually spotted and the head and neck streaked with black/dark brown.

Diet:
Clouded leopards are equally as capable of hunting on the ground as they are in trees, but they use trees mainly as a resting place. Its prey includes the Sambar and Muntjac deer, birds, bearded pigs, civet, monkeys, gibbons, squirrels, porcupines, fish, domestic cattle and chicken. Little is known about the behavior of these cats, but it is believed they hunt alone.

Habitat:
The animal ranges through southern China, the eastern Himalayas, northeast India, and southeast Asia. Clouded leopards primarily utilize lowland tropical and subtropical forest habitats, but can also be found in dry woodlands and secondary forests.

Reproduction:
Clouded leopards are sexually mature around the age of 2 years. The gestation period is between 85 and 93 days with 1 to 5 cubs produced per litter, weighing in at about 150 – 280 grams. Cubs are independent at approximately 10 months of age. Less than 20% of captive Clouded Leopards have been successful at reproducing because the males tend to kill the females during mating.

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