Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

MammalWild catVulnerable

Overview

The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized wild cat of the forests of South and Southeast Asia, named for the large, cloud-shaped dark blotches that beautifully marble its grey-to-tawny coat. Secretive and rarely seen, it sits between the small cats and the big cats, and despite its name it is not closely related to the true leopard. It is famous for two extraordinary features: superb climbing ability and remarkably long canine teeth.

Relative to its body size, the clouded leopard has the longest canine teeth of any living cat — proportionally comparable to the extinct sabre-toothed cats — and it is among the most accomplished climbers in the cat family.

Conservation note: the clouded leopard is classified as Vulnerable, threatened by deforestation and poaching. Verify current status at authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Clouded leopards live in the forests of South and Southeast Asia — from the Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia and into parts of China — favouring tropical and subtropical evergreen forest, though they also use other wooded habitats. They are strongly associated with forest cover and are excellent climbers, equally capable on the ground and in the trees. (A separate species, the Sunda clouded leopard, lives on Borneo and Sumatra.)

Diet

The clouded leopard is a carnivore that preys on a variety of animals — monkeys, deer, wild pigs, birds, squirrels, and other mammals — hunting both in the trees and on the ground. It is thought to ambush prey, and its powerful build, long tail for balance, and climbing skill let it tackle prey in situations few other cats could. The long canines help it grip and dispatch its catches.

Behavior

Clouded leopards are masters of climbing: they can scramble down trunks head-first, hang upside-down from branches, and even move along the undersides of horizontal limbs, helped by flexible ankle joints and a very long, thick tail that acts as a counterbalance. They are mostly solitary and largely active around dawn, dusk, and night, and they are so shy and elusive that much of their wild behaviour remains poorly known. Their stunning coat provides camouflage in the dappled light of the forest. Their oversized canines, set in wide-gaping jaws, are the most striking in any living cat for their relative length.

Human Interaction & Conservation

The clouded leopard is classified as Vulnerable and is declining, driven mainly by deforestation and fragmentation of its forest habitat and by poaching for its beautifully marked skin, bones, teeth, and the illegal pet trade. Protecting large areas of connected forest and curbing poaching are central to its conservation. As a wild, specialised forest predator, it is not suited to life as a pet. Consult the IUCN Red List for current status.

More photos of the clouded leopard