The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is one of the most elusive and mysterious wild cats, found in the dense forests of the Himalayan foothills, Southeast Asia, and parts of southern China. With their unique coat patterns and remarkable climbing skills, clouded leopards are among the most elusive and skillful predators of the forest. Though it shares some similarities with larger big cats, it belongs to its own unique genus and is not closely related to true leopards.
Neofelis diardi
Neofelis nebulosa
Clouded leopards are distributed across the forests of Nepal, Bhutan, Northeast India, Myanmar, parts of Southeast Asia, and southern China. In Nepal, they are mainly found in the subtropical and temperate forests of the eastern and central Himalayan region, including protected area such as Annapurna Conservation Area, Makalu Barun, Kanchenjunga, and Langtang.
Clouded leopards are solitary, shy, and mostly nocturnal animals. They are highly arboreal, meaning they spend much of their time in trees and are excellent climbers. With their short, powerful legs, flexible ankles, and long tail for balance, they can even climb down trees headfirst.
Breeding in clouded leopards is not well-documented in the wild, but captive studies suggest females give birth to one to five cubs after a gestation of around 90–95 days. Cubs stay with the mother for several months before becoming independent.
Clouded leopards are important mid-sized predators that help maintain the balance of forest ecosystems by controlling prey populations. Unfortunately, they face several threats that put their survival at risk. Habitat loss and fragmentation caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human encroachment have significantly reduced their living space. Additionally, they are targeted by poachers for their beautiful pelts, bones, and other body parts, which are often used in traditional medicine. Retaliatory killings also occur when clouded leopards prey on livestock. Despite their crucial ecological role, clouded leopards tend to receive less conservation attention compared to more well-known big cats like tigers and leopards.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the clouded leopard as Vulnerable. It is also included in Appendix I of CITES, prohibiting international trade of the species.
In Nepal, clouded leopards are legally protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973. However, due to the species elusive nature, their exact population is unknown and they are classified as Data Deficient in Nepal’s National Red List.
• Clouded leopards can open their jaws wider than any other cat, and their canine teeth are the longest relative to body size of any feline.
• Their 2-inch-long (5 cm) canine teeth are roughly the same size as those of a tiger, even though tigers are nearly ten times larger.
• They can rotate their ankles backward, allowing them to climb down trees headfirst with ease.
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