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Clouded leopard Facts

Clouded leopard Facts
Clouded leopard is a member of feline family. This beautiful wild cat can be found only in the Southeast Asia: in Nepal, Burma, Southern China, Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Taiwan. Clouded leopards prefer life in dense tropical and subtropical rainforests, jungles, grasslands and mangrove swamps. These animals are currently listed as vulnerable (nearly endangered). Main reason for fast decline in number of clouded leopards in the wild is deforestation, habitat loss and poaching. Fur of clouded leopards is highly appreciated in the fashion industry. For the production of a single coat, 25 clouded leopards need to be killed.
Interesting Clouded leopard Facts:
Clouded leopard is a medium sized cat. It can reach 36 inches in length and 28 pounds of weight. Tail can be 30 inches long.
Clouded leopard is named after beautifully colored fur. Yellow, brown or grey fur is covered with cloud-shaped dark brown spots that are outlined with black color.
Color of the fur provides camouflage and clouded leopard easily blends in its surroundings.
Cloud leopard has the largest canines (when compared to the body size) in the feline world. They can be 2 inches long.
Clouded leopards have short legs and strong paws with flexible joints, designed for climbing on the trees.
Just like in other cats, clouded leopards have retractable claws (that can be pulled inside the paw). By exposing the claws only when they are needed, clouded leopards keep their claws sharp.
Clouded leopards spend majority of their life on trees. They are agile climbers, able to jump from one branch to another in a split of a second (especially when they hunt the prey). Long tail is used for balancing while climbing.
Clouded leopard is a carnivore (meat-eater). Its diet depends on the habitat and availability of the prey. Rodents, monkeys, wild boars, squirrels, porcupines, birds, deer and cattle are normal part of its diet.
Clouded leopard is nocturnal (active at night) animal that hunts its prey both on the trees and on the ground. After the meal, cloud leopard rests high in the trees.
Clouded leopards are territorial animals. Size of territory can range from 50 to 120 square miles.
Clouded leopard marks its territory with urine and via scratch marks on the trees.
Clouded leopard does not have mating season in the wild. In captivity, clouded leopards mate from December to March.
Pregnancy lasts between 83 and 95 days and ends with 1 to 5 cubs. Babies are blind at birth and have 5 to 6 ounces.
Young clouded leopards drink mother's milk during 9 months, but they will include solid food (meat) in diet as soon as they reach age of 10 weeks. Sexual maturity will be reached between second and third year of life.
Clouded leopard can survive up to 17 years in captivity. Lifespan in the wild is unknown.


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