A clouded leopard is a wild cat.
The marks on its fur look like clouds.
It has a long tail.
It does not purr or roar.
Clouded leopards are very good climbers.
To which animal group does the clouded leopard belong?
A clouded leopard by a river
There are three subspecies (groups) of clouded leopard. The species is classified as a big cat because it behaves and looks like other big cats, but it is more closely related to the lynx, a middle-sized wild cat. It is considered to be a kind of ‘missing link’ between big cats and medium cats.
A clouded leopard's skull is a different shape from that of other cats. Image©Getty
The clouded leopard has a different skull shape from other members of the cat family, so it is in a group of its own.
Clouded leopards can't purr like small cats do, nor can they roar like big cats do. They make small grunts and mews, and a snorting sound called ‘chuffing’ which is a friendly greeting and is heard from mothers with young.
Because it is a shy animal that lives in thick forests in remote places, not much is known about the clouded leopard in the wild.
A clouded leopard at the edge of a river. Image©Getty
Appearance and Behaviours
The clouded leopard has a body that is about one metre long, plus a 90 centimetre tail. It weighs up to 23 kilograms. Its fur is greyish to yellowish- brown and it has black spots and dashes on its head, legs and tail. The marks on its side look similar to clouds, which gives the animal its name. It has a long tail.
Like other leopards, clouded leopards are excellent climbers and spend a lot of time in trees.
They can hang by front or back legs from branches. Their ankle joints are so flexible that they can climb down trees head first!
Clouded leopards live in thick forests so little is known about their behaviours in the wild. Image©Getty
Habitat and distribution (where it is found)
The animal lives in thick forests in high mountains of Thailand, China, India and Vietnam. The markings of its fur give the animal good camouflage in this habitat because of the deep shade and dappled light under the thick trees.
Diet and hunting
The clouded leopard eats birds, monkeys, deer and goats. It chases its prey, jumps on it and bites its throat until the animal suffocates.
The clouded leopard has the longest canine teeth of any cat, in proportion to its size.
Life Cycle
Clouded leopards live alone but males and females stay together for a little while after mating. Two to four young are born about 100 days after mating takes place.
Conservation Status
The clouded leopard is classified as Vulnerable. It has been hunted for food and for its beautiful fur. Its forest habitat is being cut down.
It’s a good idea to get your information from more than one source!
Read more about clouded leopards:
http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos/clouded-leopards-are-cool
https://www.activewild.com/clouded-leopard-facts/
Meet two young clouded leopards in San Diego Zoo to learn more about clouded leopards and other cats:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a810tScG3C8