Clouded Leopard

== Description ==
The Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a wild cat inhabiting dense forests of the Himalayas through mainland Southeast Asia into South China. In the early 19th century, a Clouded leopard was brought to London from China and described in 1821. Today, the clouded leopard is locally extinct in Singapore, Taiwan, and possibly Hainan Island and Vietnam.
== Appearance ==
The Clouded leopard's fur is of a dark grey or ochreous ground color, often largely obliterated by a black and dark dusky-grey blotched pattern. There are black spots on the head, and the ears are black. Partly fused or broken-up stripes run from the corner of the eyes over the cheek, from the corner of the mouth to the neck, and along the nape to the shoulders. Elongated blotches continue down the spine and form a single median stripe on the loins. Two large blotches of dark dusky-grey hair on the side of the shoulders are each emphasized posteriorly by a dark stripe, which passes on to the foreleg and breaks up into irregular spots. The flanks are marked by dark dusky-grey irregular blotches bordered behind by long, oblique, irregularly curved or looped stripes. These blotches yielding the clouded pattern suggest the English name of the cat. The underparts and legs are spotted, and the tail is marked by large, irregular, paired spots. Its legs are short and stout, and its paws broad. Females are slightly smaller than males. Clouded leopards are often referred to as a "modern-day sabre-tooth" because they have the largest canines in proportion to their body size. They also have powerful, stout legs and long, strong tails. They are amongst the best climbers in the family of cats.
== Distribution ==
Clouded leopards range from the Himalayas, the south of China, and Taiwan to the Malaysian peninsula. It most often inhabits primary evergreen tropical forests and also lives in secondary forests, logged forests, dry tropical forests, grassland, mangrove swamp, scrubland, and coastal hardwood forest.
== Lifestyle ==
Clouded leopards are thought to be solitary, except during breeding or when with their cubs. They are extremely shy and elusive animals, resting high in trees during the day and hunting actively at night. These leopards are territorial and move a little more than a mile a day within their home range, which may be 50 to over 120 square miles, depending on their geographical location. They are extremely agile climbers and can run up tree trunks and climb amongst the branches, as well as run head first down trunks and climb along horizontal branches while hanging underneath, with their tails for balance. Clouded leopards do not purr, but do make low snorting noises called “prusten” during friendly interactions with others of their species. They also make low, moaning roars, soft chuffle, hiss, a growl, and meow sounds.
== Diet ==
Clouded leopards are carnivorous and mainly eat birds, monkeys, porcupines, deer, pigs, wild boar, young buffalo, and domestic animals.
== Reproduction ==
Clouded leopards are polygynous, with one male mating with multiple females. The individuals separate after mating and males do not assist with the rearing of the kittens. In captivity, breeding is usually between December and March, though it can take place year-round. One to five cubs are born, following a gestation of around 3 months. The young open their eyes by about 10 days old and at five weeks old they are fully active, and soon after this, their mother starts to teach them how to hunt. Although it eats solid food by 10 weeks old, a cub is not fully weaned until the age of nine months, when it becomes independent and leaves its mother to establish its own territory. Clouded leopards reach reproductive maturity between the age of 20 and 30 months.
== Population ==
=== Population threats ===
Deforestation from commercial logging and the increase of human settlements is considered the major threat to these animals. This also reduces the numbers of their prey species. Another main threat is hunting for its beautiful pelt and its decorative teeth, and bones, the latter being used for traditional Asian medicine.
=== Population number ===
Clouded leopard total population is suspected to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with a decreasing population trend, and no single population numbering more than 1,000 adults. It is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.
=== Ecological niche ===
Clouded leopards within their range are amongst the top predators, especially where there are no tigers and leopards. They have a role in the control of populations of their prey species, limiting the impact of these populations on the ecosystem, such as preventing deer from putting excessive stress on populations of plants.
== Fun Facts ==
The Clouded leopard climbs almost like a monkey and can hang upside down from branches with its rear feet.
The Clouded leopard is a capable swimmer and it could have reached small islands off Borneo and Vietnam in this manner.
This animal is so elusive that captive specimens provide most of what we know about its biology.
In Malaysia, this species is known by the name “tree tiger”.
In China, these animals are known as the “mint leopard” due to their spots looking like mint leaves.
Clouded leopards possess the largest canines of all cats, relative to their body size, being between 4 and 5 cm (or 1.5-2 inches).
The Clouded leopard and the margay are the only animals that have enough ankle flexibility to be able to climb headfirst down trees.
These animals are not actually a type of leopard but are closer relatives of lions and tigers.
The Clouded leopard can open its jaws more widely than all other cats and its teeth are most like those of the saber tooth cat, which is extinct.
== Gallery ==
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== Main References ==
https://animalia.bio/clouded-leopard
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