ANIMAL: Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa Type of Animal: Feline Habitat: Tropical/subtropical forest, grassland, scrub, mangrove swamps, woodland Location(s): Himalayan foothills to S.E. Asia & S.E. China Appearance: Yellowish/gold/light brown w/ patchy clouded spots, white belly & somewhat square head. Male much larger than female, longest canine teeth (2 in) proportionally of any felid. Food/Diet: Monkeys, gibbons, bear cubs, pigs, rabbits, hares, civets, baby orangutans, birds, goats, sheep, domestic cattle, deer, porcupines, buffalo calves, muntjac, mouse deer, fish, eggs, rodents, lorises, tree shrews, tarsiers, weasels, otters, young pythons Status in Wild: Threatened Conservation: Breeding from zoos, wildlife parks, & breeding centers Lifestyle: Solitary Additional Info: Called: Male-Leopard Female-Leopardess Young-Cub Group-Solitary Weight: Male-45-60 lbs Female-25-30 lbs Young-2.25 lbs Gestation: 3 months Height: Male-1.3 ft Female-0.8 ft Body Length: Male-2.6-3.5 ft Female-2.25-3.08 ft Life Span: 12 years in wild, up to 18 years in captivity Tail Length: Male-2.5-3 ft Female-2-2.6 ft Main predators are tigers & large pythons. Known to be notoriously difficult to breed in captivity w/ many cases of males killing females during mating attempts. Breeding success has increased w/ introducing potential breeders at young age & putting them together only when female’s in heat. National Zoo’s Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA, Nashville Zoo & Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, WA have been at forefront of breeding success. Threatened due to logging, habitat loss, hunting for fur, persecution as livestock/poultry killer, poaching for medicinal trade, & pet trade. Cubs stay w/ mom for up to 10 months. Highly arboreal, spending much of their time in the trees. Usually 2-3 cubs per litter. Sexually mature at 1-1.5 years old. Male’s territory encompasses up to 3 female territories. These animals are mostly nocturnal. Their teeth resemble a saber-tooth cat’s. Fun Fact(s): Known to be very shy/elusive in the wild, w/ much more to be learned. Tail allows them to climb branches upside down. Known as “tree tiger” in Malaysia and “mint leopard” in China. Officially discovered by Europeans in 1821.
