The Clouded Leopard (Neo felis
nebulosa) is a medium-sized cat found in Southeast Asia. It has a tan or
tawny coat, and is distinctively marked with large, irregularly-shaped,
dark-edged ellipses which are said to be shaped like clouds. This unique
appearance gave the mammal both its common and scientific species name (Nebulosus
is the Latin for "cloudy"). The Clouded Leopard was a confusion to
scientists for a long time because of the appearance and skeleton. It
was what seemed to be a cross in between a big cat and a small cat. The
scientific name of the genus, Neofelis, originates from neo, which means
"new", and felis, which means "small cat", so it literally means new
kind of small cat.
The average Clouded Leopard typically weighs between 15 and 23 kg (33 to
50 lb) and has a shoulder height of 25 to 40 centimeters (10 to 16
inches). This medium sized cat has a large build and, proportionately,
the longest canine teeth (2 in, about the same as a tiger's) of any
living feline.These characteristics led early researchers to speculate
that it preyed on large land-dwelling mammals. However, while remarkably
very little is known about the natural history and behavioral habits of
this species in the wild, it is now thought that its primary prey
includes arboreal and terrestrial mammals, particularly gibbons,
macaques, and civets supplemented by other small mammals, deer, birds,
porcupines, and domestic livestock. Clouded Leopards that are held in
captivity also eat eggs and some vegetation.
As might be expected from the fact that some of its prey lives in
trees, the Clouded Leopard is an excellent climber. Short, flexible
legs, large paws, and sharp claws combine to make it very sure-footed in
the canopy. The Clouded Leopard's tail can be as long as its body,
further aiding in balance giving it a squirrel-like agility similar to
the Margay of South America. Surprisingly, this arboreal creature can
climb while hanging upside-down under branches and descend tree trunks
head-first. In captivity, the Clouded Leopard routinely hangs by its
hind legs using its long tail for balance and runs head-first down tree
trunks. Little is known about its behaviour in the wild, but it is
assumed from this behavior that a favored hunting tactic is to drop on
prey from the trees.
Subspecies
The Clouded Leopard, despite its name, is not closely related to the
Leopard. The Clouded Leopard is regarded as a monotypic genus with three
subspecies:
* Neofelis nebulosa macrosceloides: Nepal to Myanmar (Burma)
* Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa: Southern China to eastern Myanmar
* Neofelis nebulosa brachyura: Taiwan (extinct)
The Bornean Clouded Leopard, Neofelis diardi, is a separate species
found on the Sumatra, Borneo and the Batu Islands. Because of their
distinct skull structure, the two species are considered sufficiently
different to be the only members of their genus.
Distribution and Habitat
The Clouded Leopard is found only in Southeast Asia and ranges
through southern China (at least as far north as Wuyi Shan), the eastern
Himalayas, Nepal, northeast India, Bangladesh, and Indochina. It is
thought to be extinct in Taiwan. The last confirmed sighting of a
Clouded Leopard in Taiwan was in 1989 when the skin from a small leopard
was found in the Taroko area. This subspecies was characterized by its
relatively much shorter tail.
Preferred habitat is tropical and subtropical forests at altitudes up
to about 2,000 meters (6,500 ft); however it is sometimes found in
mangrove swamps and grassland. It lives in temperatures from 65 to 120
degrees Fahrenheit.
Breeding and Behaviour
The behaviour of the Clouded Leopard in the wild are virtually
unknown to man because of the animal's reclusive nature. With a lack of
evidence for a pack- or pride-society like that of the lion, it is
assumed that it is a generally solitary creature.
Females give birth to a litter of 2 to 4 cubs after a gestation
period of about 85 to 93 days[3]. Initially, the young are blind and
helpless, much like the young of many other cats. Unlike adults, the
kittens' spots are "solid"—completely dark rather than dark rings. The
young can see within about 10 days of birth, are active within 5 weeks,
and probably become independent at about 10 months of age. The Clouded
Leopard reaches sexual maturity at two years of age and females are able
to bear one litter each year. Adults in captivity have lived as long as
17 years: in the wild, they have an average 11 year lifespan.
Captive breeding programs met with little success in their early
stages, largely due to ignorance of courtship activity among these cats
in the wild. Experience has taught keepers that introducing pairs of
Clouded Leopards at a young age gives opportunities for the pair to bond
and breed successfully. Introducing pairs together as older adults may
cause the animals such stress that the male may kill the female.
Normally, the Clouded Leopard is not an aggressive animal.
Carefully regulated introductions between prospective mating pairs
and breeding programmes that take into account the requirements for
enriched enclosures. Providing these animal with adequate space to
permit climbing stimulates natural behaviour and minimizes stress. This,
combined with a feeding programme that fulfills the proper dietary
requirements, has shown to promote more successful breeding in recent
years. Cats born in captivity may one day supplement and bolster
threatened populations in the wild.
Conservation and threats
Because the Clouded Leopard's habits make it difficult to study,
reliable estimates of its population do not exist. The World
Conservation Union estimates that fewer than 10,000 individuals exist,
and warns that the population is declining.Habitat loss due to
widespread deforestation and hunting for use in Chinese medicinal
preparations are thought to be causing populations of the Clouded
Leopard to decline Only six Clouded Leopards have ever been radio
collared and their territorial movements monitored and recorded by
scientists using radio telemetry. All of these cats were studied within
Thailand. Almost all that is known of the Clouded Leopard today comes
from studies of the cats in captivity. Apart from anecdotal accounts
very little is known of the Clouded Leopard's natural history, ecology
and behaviour in the wild throughout its range.
The World Conservation Union, the organization that maintains the
global Red List of endangered species, lists the Clouded Leopard as
Vulnerable. In addition, CITES, the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, lists the Clouded Leopard as
an Appendix I species, meaning that international trade in Clouded
Leopards is banned. The United States also lists the Clouded Leopard
under the Endangered Species Act, further prohibiting trade in the
animals or any parts or products made from them in the United States. In
the countries of its native range, hunting of the Clouded Leopard is
prohibited; however, these bans are poorly enforced.
Cultural influence
The Lukai people of Thailand consider the Clouded Leopard to be their
spiritual ancestor who led them to their homeland. |
