Mint leopard, Tree tiger, Mainland clouded leopard
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.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CrepuscularCrepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight (that is, the periods of dawn and dusk). This is distinguished from diurnal...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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CursorialA cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it has the ability to run fast (e.g. chee...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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ScansorialScansorial animals are those that are adapted to or specialized for climbing. Many animals climb not only in tress but also in other habitats, such...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe 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.
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.
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.
Clouded leopards are carnivorous and mainly eat birds, monkeys, porcupines, deer, pigs, wild boar, young buffalo, and domestic animals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
