Clouded Leopard

Published on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 20:15 | Written by Zoe Nichols

Clouded_leopard_4

BINOMIAL NAME:

Neofelis Nebulosa

ANATOMICAL PROPORTIONS:

5-6 ft. long (tip-to-tail) / 10-16 in. tall / 25-50 lbs.

POPULATION (APPROXIMATE):

10,000

CONSERVATION STATUS:

VULNERABLE

DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT:

Warm, tropical and subtropical forests, high altitude terrains, mangrove swamps, and grasslands of Southeast Asia

DIET:

Small primates and civets, supplemented by other small mammals and birds

SPECIES THREATS:

Deforestation and loss of habitat in Southeast Asia are constant threats to clouded leopard populations.

Because of its relatively small size, the clouded leopard is popular in the wildlife/ exotic pet trade.

Many of the bigger cats are closely monitored and protected by their respective conservation organizations and governments, which help to safeguard these animals from poachers---the medium and small-bodied cats have thus gained popularity. Now the exquisite clouded leopard pelt increasingly shows up on the black market.

Various parts of the animal also remain in high demand on the black market, for use in traditional Asian medicine.

UNIQUE FACTS:

The clouded leopard has the largest upper canine teeth (relative to skull size) of all Felidae species. This fact provided the first clue to a possible connection between clouded leopards, and the now extinct saber-tooth tiger. Scientists would later realize that not only its teeth, but the entire clouded leopard skull is quite similar to that of the prehistoric tiger, and has since inferred that the clouded leopard is its closest living relative.

Another fascinating aspect of the clouded leopard is its arboreal lifestyle---while not uniquely so, this cat is especially well-adapted for a life spent in large proportion among the canopies. Witnesses have observed the clouded leopard moving like a squirrel, up and down tree trunks (head-first); as well, witnesses report that the cat hangs upside down, clinging to branches by its two hind feet/ claws. The only other wild cat known for this behavior is the margay, from South America.

DEVOTED ORGANIZATION:

Clouded Leopard Project