The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is found in the south-eastern part of Asia (see below for the range map of the clouded leopard). It weighs between 20 and 30 kilograms. The clouded leopard is sometimes given the nickname 'the modern day saber-tooth', because it has the largest canines compared to its body size of all cats. Another distinctive feature from other cat is its elongated skull. They are expert tree climbers and live large parts of their lives in the trees (in the Malay language the clouded leopard is called 'rimaudahan', which means 'tree tiger'). Their diet consists of goats, deer, domesticated livestock, wild pigs, reptiles, monkeys and birds. Clouded leopards are listed as an endangered species. Because of their secretive nature, their behavior is largely unknown.They are threatened by hunting (for Chinese medicine and its fur) and deforestation. Did you know it takes 20 to 30 cats to make on full-length fur coat? Update:Thanks to Ian T. for pointing out that the 'Clouded leopard' is actually two species, take a look at his blogpost.
Range map by Jniemenmaa licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
Range map by Jniemenmaa licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
Which zoos have them?
Brookfield Zoo (United States) and Smithsonian National Zoological Park (United States)The Clouded leopard is listed as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Namings for the clouded leopard
A young / baby of a clouded leopard is called a 'cub'. The females are called 'leopardess' and males 'leopard'. A clouded leopard group is called a 'leap or lepe'.Countries
Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand and VietnamClouded leopard habitats
Forest, Shrubland, Subtropical / Tropical Moist Lowland and Subtropical / Tropical Moist ShrublandSome facts about the
Clouded leopard
Adult weight : 19.5 kg (42.9 lbs)
Maximum longevity : 20 years
Female maturity :730 days
Male maturity : 1095 days
Gestation : 89 days
Weaning : 130 days
Litter size : 2
Weight at birth : 0.17 kg (0.374 lbs)
Weight at weaning : 5.428 kg (11.9416 lbs)
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