Clouded Leopard

Neofelis nebulosa

Status in the Wild: Endangered

Range: Nepal, India, Sikkim, Bhutan, southeastern China and southeast Asia. It is also native to the islands of Sumatra, Bornea, Hainan and Taiwan.

Habitat: Forests

Size/Weight: This is a medium-sized, chunky cat with a head to body length of about 42 inches and a long furry tail of about 35 inches. It has very short legs and measures about 21 inches at the shoulder. These leopards can weigh up to 50 pounds.

Diet: This cat is a carnivore. In the wild, they eat monkeys, squirrels, birds, deer, wild boar, and small domestic animals. Clouded leopards may lay on a lower limb and wait for prey to pass by, then leap directly onto the prey animal from the tree. When pursing prey on the ground, they use the stalk and strike hunting technique.

Reproduction/Gestation: There is little known about reproduction behavior in the wild. In captivity, births occur from March to August after a gestation period of about 90-days. Litters vary in size from one to five cubs, with two being the most frequent. The young open their eyes at 12 days and can walk in three weeks. They are independent at nine to ten months of age.

Status in the Wild: The clouded leopard is endangered due to the conversion of their forest habitat and poaching for its striking pelt.