Clouded Leopard
Harimau dahan
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Neofelis
Species: N. nebulosa
bilateral body symmetry, tetrapoda
deutrostomia, phylum chordata, subphylum vertebrate
DISTRIBUTION
found in Southeast Asia. ranges through southern China (at least as far north as Wuyi Shan), the easternHimalayas, western Malaysia, Nepal, northeast India, Bangladesh, and Indochina.
Extinct in Taiwan
CHARACTERISTIChas a tan or tawny coat, and is distinctively marked with large, irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ellipses which are said to be shaped like clouds
average- 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 of any living feline
it preyed on large land-dwelling mammals
excellent climber
Short, flexible legs, large paws, and sharp claws combine to make it very sure-footed in the canopy.
tail can be as long as its body, further aiding in balance
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
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 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.
BREEDING
Females give birth to a litter of 2 to 4 cubs after a gestation period of about 85 to 93 days
the young are blind and helpless
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.