Clouded Leopard
- scientific name
:
Neofelis nebulosa - top speed
:
60 km/h - order
:
Carnivora
Size
The clouded leopard is a medium-sized felid of the genus Neofelis. It is muscular, with a long body, relatively short legs and a broad head. Its fur is grayish or yellowish with large cloud-shaped markings.
LifeSpan
Clouded leopards live 11-15 years on average in the wild. With proper care in captivity, they can live over 20 years.
Conservation Status
Classified as Vulnerable by IUCN. Major threats include deforestation, poaching and prey loss across its Southeast Asian range.
Distribution
Clouded leopards occupy primary and secondary tropical rainforests up to 2,000 meters elevation on the mainland and islands of Southeast Asia.
Coevolution
The rare, canopy-dwelling clouded leopard features in folklore as an animal linked to the heavens due to its arboreal nature. But it is also feared as a predator capable of dropping down from the trees.
Nutrition
An opportunistic predator, the clouded leopard eats a variety of mammals and birds including deer, civets, monkeys, porcupines, squirrels and more.
Lifestyle
Clouded leopards lead a largely nocturnal, solitary existence, coming together only for mating purposes. They are adept climbers and can hang upside down from branches.