What kind of animal is a clouded leopard? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. This is a member of the leopard family that lives in Asia, and some species are already extinct. This species is already listed as endangered and is in urgent need of protection.
What is a clouded leopard? About basic status
Clouded leopards are carnivores that belong to the genus Clouded Leopard in the family Felidae. The scientific name is Neofelis nebulosa, and the kanji is “Cloud Leopard”. The body length is 62-107cm and the weight is 16-23kg. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | ウンピョウ |
| English（英名） | Clouded leopard |
| scientific name(学名) | Neofelis nebulosa |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Carnivora、 Felidae、Neofelis 哺乳綱、ネコ目、ネコ科、ウンピョウ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 62-107cm |
| Weight（体重） | 16-23kg |
About classification
The clouded leopard is said to fall between the genus Feli and the genus Leopard.
About habitat
Clouded leopards are distributed widely across India, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, Malaysia, etc. Many terrestrial species can be seen in Southeast Asia, such as on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The head of a clouded leopard is large and elongated. The coat is dark gray or yellowish brown with dark markings and black spots and stripes. The back of the auricle is covered with black hair and has white spots. The auricles are rounded and the snout is wide. Clouded leopards often live in forest areas, but can also be seen in grasslands and wetlands where mangroves grow. They live alone and sometimes live in trees.
What is your personality like?
Although clouded leopards are carnivores, they are very timid animals. There are more powerful carnivores living there, and clouded leopards actually live in fear. Therefore, they are also very cautious animals.
What is the ecology like?
Clouded leopards are carnivores, feeding on small mammals, birds, deer, snakes, etc. They are good at hunting and climbing trees, and use their long fangs to catch prey in the forest. They reproduce viviparously. The gestation period is about three months. They can give birth to 1-5 pups at a time. Their current lifespan is about 15 years.
Are there any natural enemies?
Clouded leopards’ natural enemies include tigers. But humans are even more of a threat.
Is the clouded leopard an endangered species?
Unfortunately, clouded leopards are designated as an endangered species. The biggest threat is habitat destruction, but clouded leopards are in demand for their fur, and their population is declining due to overhunting and other factors. They are already confirmed to be extinct in Taiwan. They are also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and international trade is strictly restricted. They are listed on the Red List due to a lot of poaching in tropical rainforests and other areas.
Can clouded leopards be kept as pets?
Clouded leopards are extremely difficult to keep as pets. We recommend visiting the zoo.
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