VUVulnerablePartial review

Clouded Leopard

Neofelis nebulosa

Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a cat with large cloud-shaped markings.

Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa).

Image: Rushenb, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

At a glance

IUCN category
VU · Vulnerable
Animal group
Mammals
Population trend
Decreasing
Last verified

Conservation overview

The clouded leopard is a secretive, medium-sized wild cat with large cloud-shaped markings and exceptional climbing skills. It is assessed as Vulnerable.

It has the longest canine teeth relative to skull size of any living cat.

Range & habitat

Forests of South and Southeast Asia, from the Himalayan foothills to mainland Southeast Asia.

Major threats

Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.

  • Deforestation
  • Poaching for skins and parts
  • Prey depletion

Why it matters

An elusive forest predator, the clouded leopard is a flagship for protecting the dwindling forests of South and Southeast Asia.

A clouded leopard resting, showing its cloud-patterned coat.

Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa); this individual is in a zoo.

Image: FakirNL, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sources

Sources for Clouded Leopard

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the clouded leopard such a good climber?
It has flexible ankles, a long tail for balance, and a strong grip, letting it climb down trunks head-first and even hang from branches — unusual agility among cats.
Why is the clouded leopard Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite deforestation, poaching for its skin and other parts, and loss of prey. See the IUCN Red List.

Last updated: