 |
The clouded leopard is a medium-sized wild cat found in the forests of Asia.
Little is known about the wild behavior of clouded leopards due to their extremely secretive
nature. Much of our understanding of this cat’s natural history and behavior is a result of
observations of them in captivity.
While all species of cats are closely related and classified as one family, the
Felidae, genetic research has shown the clouded leopard to be more closely related
to the large cat species. For this reason, clouded leopards are considered a member
of the Pantherinae - a subfamily of the Felidae family that also includes lions,
tigers, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards. Clouded leopards are not a “type”
of leopard as their name implies.
Until 2006, there was thought to be a single clouded leopard species.
This cat was the sole member of its genus genus Neofelis with the scientific name of Neofelis nebulosa.
Historically, four subspecies of Neofelis nebulosa were recognized:
|
Subspecies
|
Location
| | Neofelis nebulosa brachyurus |
Taiwan - Thought to be extinct in the wild
| | Neofelis nebulosa diardi |
Sumatra, Borneo, and Java
| | Neofelis nebulosa macrosceloides |
Nepal to Burma
| | Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa |
Southern China to eastern Burma
|
However, recent genetic and morphological analysis has led researchers to conclude that there are
two completely separate species of clouded leopards. In a study comparing differences in clouded
leopard coat patterns and coloration throughout the cat's range, researchers concluded that
individuals found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra are markedly different from animals
found on the Southeast Asian mainland. These observations have been supported by genetic testing
that determined the two populations of clouded leopards are so distinct as to warrant classifying
them as different species – as different from one another as a lion is from a tiger. Researchers
estimate that the two species diverged approximately 1.5 million years ago due to geographical
isolation.
Instead of their prior classification as a clouded leopard subspecies (Neofelis nebulosa diardi),
animals in Borneo and Sumatra would be re-classified as a new species, Neofelis diardi, possibly to be named the Sundaland clouded leopard.
The coat patterns of clouded leopards from Borneo and Sumatra differ from mainland animals
by having smaller and darker cloud markings and a darker overall coat color. Although these differences
and the results of the genetic testing are convincing, researchers emphasize that more study is
still needed. Only three samples from Borneo were analyzed so more individuals need to be examined
to determine if the same conclusion can apply to the entire population.
For more information on these new developments please see the following articles:
Buckley-Beason, Valerie A. et. al.
Molecular Evidence for Species-Level Distinction in Clouded Leopards.
Kitchener, Andrew C., Mark A. Beaumont, and Douglas Richardson. Geographical Variation in
the Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, Reveals Two Species. Current Biology 16, 2377-2383,
December 5, 2006.
|  Photo: Alain Compost/WWF-Canon |
Clouded leopards primarily utilize lowland tropical rainforest habitats, but can also be found in dry woodlands and secondary forests. They have also been spotted in the foothills of the Himalayas at an elevation of 9000 feet. Range countries historically included most of Southeast Asia from Nepal and southern China through Thailand, Indonesia, and Borneo.
The clouded leopard is named for the cloud-like spots of its coat that provide camouflage in its forest habitat. Males weigh up to 50 pounds and females are significantly smaller, usually 25-35 pounds.
Clouded leopards are one of the best climbers in the cat family. They are able to climb upside
down underneath tree branches and hang from branches with their hind feet. Several adaptations allow
clouded leopards to achieve these amazing arboreal skills. Their legs are short and stout, providing
excellent leverage and a low center of gravity while climbing. Large paws with sharp claws allow
cloudeds to gain a good grip on tree branches. A clouded leopard’s tail can be up to 3 feet long
(the same length as its body) and is extremely important as a balancing aid. The hind feet possess
flexible ankle joints that allow the foot to rotate greatly. This adaptation allows clouded leopards
to descend, squirrel-like, head first from a tree.
Another distinctive feature of the clouded leopard is its long canine teeth. In fact, studies
by Dr. Per Christiansen of the Copenhagen's Zoological Museum have revealed new insights into the
unusual skull of the clouded leopard. It has long been known that the clouded leopard has the
longest upper canine teeth for its skull size of any modern carnivore, causing some people to
compare the cat with the extinct saber-toothed cat. Dr. Christiansen's research into the skull
characteristics of both living and extinct cats has revealed that that the clouded leopard has a
skull unlike any other cat today. In a number of respects it bears distinctive resemblance to the
primitive saber-toothed cats, before they became highly specialized and developed enormous upper
fangs. This could indicate that one lineage of modern cats, of which now only the clouded leopard
is still present, evolved some adaptations in common with the true saber-toothed cats. It also
indicates that the clouded leopard may hunt large prey in the wild in a slightly different manner
from other great cats.
Saber-toothed cats were characterized by a great number of skull features besides large
upper canines. Most of these were a result of them having to attain an enormous gape, around 100
degrees, in order for the huge fangs to clear enough room for prey to be bitten, often through the
neck, severing the jugular and nerve bundles, and causing the prey to instantly collapse. This was
a very different hunting technique from living big cats, which use a throat or muzzle grip to
suffocate the prey.
For more information about the clouded leopard’s unusual skull, see the Journal of Morphology 267: 1186-1198 (2006).
Like all wild cats, clouded leopards are carnivores. They are thought to hunt a variety of prey including birds, squirrels, monkeys, deer, and wild pigs. It was once thought that clouded leopards hunted while climbing. Current thought, however, is that while some hunting may occur in the trees, most likely takes place on the ground. Trees are thought to provide resting habitat for cloudeds during the day.
Virtually nothing is known of the social behavior of wild clouded leopards. They are likely solitary, like most cats, unless associated with a mate while breeding or accompanied by cubs. Likewise, activity patterns are virtually unknown. Once thought to be exclusively nocturnal, evidence suggests that cloudeds may show some periods of activity during the day as well.
Clouded leopards are sexually mature around the age of 2 years. Mating can occur in any month, but
in captivity most breeding occurs between December and March. The gestation period is between 85
and 93 days with 1 to 5 cubs produced per litter. Cubs are independent at approximately 10 months
of age. Females can produce a litter every year.
In captivity, clouded leopards present a reproductive challenge. Unfortunately, there is a high
incidence of aggression between males and females, sometimes resulting in the death of the female.
This fact has made clouded leopards one of the most difficult cats to breed in captivity. Present
captive management practices include introducing the members of a pair prior to one year of age.
This practice has resulted in the establishment of more successful pair-bonds and lessening of
aggression.
|
|
|
|
