Clouded Leopard
Neofelis nebulosa
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Carnivora
FAMILY: Felidae
SIZE:
55 - 75 inches total body and tail length
RANGE:
India through southeastern Asia to Sumatra and Borneo
HABITAT:
Forests, in trees
DIET:
Wild - Mostly deer and wild boar; monkeys, squirrels, birds
Zoo - Prepared zoo diet for felines
DESCRIPTION:
Bridge species between small cats and big cats because of shared characteristics -- skull and dental structure like that of big cats, other characteristics like small cats, and some shared behavioral qualities
Short legs and a long tail, solidly built body; yellowish eyes; fur is ochre-yellow to brownish-yellow, with stripes and spots; extremely long canine teeth.
ADAPTATIONS:
Extremely good climber, probably the best among all cats; can run down trees headfirst and climb limbs with back toward ground; can swing with a single hind paw and can jump from a tree directly onto prey; long canines allow grabbing of birds in branches; coloration provides good camouflage.
YOUNG:
2 - 4 young born after a ninety day gestation period; after six weeks young can run at full speed and eat solid food; independence at approximately 9 months.
STATUS:
ENDANGERED due to loss of forest habitat to agriculture. Also hunted for its fur.
REFERENCE:
"Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia," Vol. 12, Mammals III, Dr. Bernhard Grzimek
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