Taxonomy
| Clouded leopard The clouded leopard has recently (2006) been divided into two species based on DNA analysis. Those two species can also be divided geographically into mainland cats, Neofelis nebulosa, and island cats, Neofelis diardi. Based on genetic analysis these island cats can be split into two subspecies — found in Sumatra and Borneo respectively. Another subspecies, Neofelis nebulosa brachyurus, from Taiwan is considered extinct. | |||
Neofelis nebulosa (mainland clouded leopard) Neofelis nebulosa brachyurus (Formosan clouded leopard) † | |||
| Kingdom | Animalia | ||
| Phylum | Chordata | ||
| Class | Mammalia | ||
| Order | Carnivora | ||
| Family | Felidae | ||
| Genus | Neofelis | ||
| Species | nebulosa | diardi | |
| Subspecies | diardi | ||
| Subspecies | borneensis ssp. nov. | ||
Description
The clouded leopard is named after the distinctive ‘clouds’ on its coat — ellipses partially edged in black, with the insides a darker colour than the pale yellow/brown background colour of the pelt. The clouded leopard, despite its name, is not closely related to the other Panthera cats. It is sufficiently distinct from other members of the Felidae family, due mainly to the unique shape of its skull, to be placed in a separate genus — Neofelis. And molecular studies suggest that the clouded lepoard appeared much earlier during evolution than the Panthera cats. The undersides and short, stout legs are usually spotted and the head and neck streaked with black/dark brown. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of clouded leopards is that, in proportion to their body size, they possess the largest canines of all the cats.
It is an extremely agile climber, aided by the balancing effect of its exceptionally long tail, often equivalent to the body length, and supple ankle joints. In captivity the clouded leopard has been observed hanging from overhanging branches by its rear legs. A survey team in Sabah and Sarawak, in 1986, concluded that it is not truly arboreal, but used trees in primary forest as daytime rest sites. It travels mostly on the ground they think, as movement on the ground is faster and more efficient.
The diet of the clouded leopard is thought to include a variety of arboreal and terrestrial vertebrates, such as orang utan, young sambar deer, barking deer, mouse deer, bearded pig, palm civet, gray leaf monkey, and porcupine. Fish, birds and poultry are sometimes taken. Although it is generally considered to be primarily nocturnal, it is sometimes also active during the daytime. The clouded leopard swims well and has been found on small offshore islands. Clouded leopards are believed to be solitary animals except during the breeding season.
Geographical range & habitat
The mainland cats, N. nebulosa, are the mainland cats ranging throughout Nepal, Bangladesh, eastern India through Indochina, northeastward to southern China and, formerly, in Taiwan. The island cats, N. diardi, live in Sumatra and Borneo. Although population numbers are thought to be lower outside protected areas, their populations are probably healthiest in Borneo because there aren’t any tigers or leopards there. Surveys there suggest a density of one individual per 4 square kilometers.The clouded leopard is usually characterized as being most closely associated with primary evergreen tropical rainforest, but it also makes use of other types of habitat. Sightings have also been made in secondary and logged forest, as well as grassland and scrub. In Burma and Thailand, its presence has been reported from relatively open, dry tropical forest. The clouded leopard has also been recorded from mangrove forest in Borneo. In China, it apparently occurs in a variety of forest types, but there is no information on habitat preference or ecology across this large portion of its geographic range. It has been recorded in the Himalayan foothills up to 1450 m, and possibly as high as 3000 m. |
Biology
| Head-body length: | 69 – 94 cm (female); 81 – 108 (male) |
| Tail length: | 55 – 91 cm |
| Female weight: | about 11 kg |
| Male weight: | about 19 kg |
| Age to maturity: | sexual maturity is reached by 20 – 30 months |
| Gestation period: | 86 – 95 days |
| Birth rate | litter size 1 – 5 kittens, interbirth interval is thought to be 1 year |
| Life span: | up to 17 years (in captivity) |
Conservation & status
| Conservation: | The clouded leopard receives national protection through hunting regulation or bans in many of the countries that it occupies. This species also occurs in a number of protected areas, which should help to provide a refuge from the catastrophic deforestation occurring within its range. In order to ensure the survival of the clouded leopard, significant efforts are being made to breed and maintain healthy captive populations. Through the Clouded Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP), the American Zoo and Aquarium Association currently administers the collective management of all clouded leopards in North American zoos. There is a partnership between the Smithsonian National Zoo, the Nashville Zoo and the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand. Furthermore, the clouded leopard SSP is working to develop a clouded leopard breeding program in Thai zoos. It is hoped that this international collaboration will help to overcome captive-breeding difficulties and inspire further conservation efforts for this imperilled species. And there is the Clouded Leopard Project which is supporting clouded leopard conservation and research. And materialised from the efforts of the SSP. Researchers (Wilting et al.) strongly suggest to protect both Neofelis diardi subspecies “..and manage separately to preserve the integrity of their gene pools and their morphological distinctiveness.….as these different conservation units represent an important component of the evolutionary legacy of this threatened pantherine felid species.” |
| IUCN Red list status: | N. nebulosa: Vulnerable (Red list); N. diardi: Vulnerable (Red list); N. diardi diardi: Endangered (Red list); N. diardi borneensis ssp. nov.: Endangered (Red list) |
| CITES status: | Appendix I |
Threats
| Deforestation resulting from commercial logging and the growth of human settlements is thought to be the foremost threat to this species. Not only does deforestation remove the clouded leopard’s own shelter and habitat, but it reduces the abundance of prey species. Another major threat is the hunting of this cat for its beautiful pelt and decorative teeth, as well as its bones, which are prized in the traditional Asian medicinal trade. Clouded leopards have even featured on the menu of restaurants in Thailand and China which cater to wealthy Asian tourists. |
Zoos
Clouded leopards are considered one of the most difficult large cats to breed in zoological facilities. As there is a high incidence of aggression between males and females, sometimes resulting in the death of the female. This mate killing could be caused by frustration due to the fact the cats are not allowed to express their predator behaviour and have no opportunity to kill its own prey, nor have been educated by their mothers to recognise prey species. This will apply to all cats bred and kept in captivity, but the temperament of the clouded leopards makes them particularly susceptible to it. According to a hypothesis of Kitchener (International Zoo News, June 1999). Moreover there is decreased breeding activity and high kitten mortality. The exceptions with excellent breeding results are Howlett’s Zoo in United Kingdom and the Rare Feline Breeding Center in Florida. | ||
| Studbooks | ||
| ISB: | Keeper: John Ball Zoological garden, Michigan, USA | ISB = International Studbook (WAZA) EEP = European Endangered species Programme (EAZA) ESB = European Studbook (EAZA) SSP = Species Survival plan Program (AZA) ASMP = Australasian Species Management Program(ZAA) |
| EEP: | Coordinator: Howletts Wild Animal park, Bekesbourne, UK | |
| ESB: | ||
| SSP: | Programme leader: AZA; population advisor: Minnesota Zoological garden, USA | |
| ASMP: | ||
References
Sources used
- ARKIVE
- The Clouded Leopard Project
- Valerie A. Buckley-Beason et al. 2006. Molecular Evidence for Species-Level Distinctions in Clouded Leopards. Current Biology 16, 2371 – 2376
- Andrew C. Kitchener et al. 2006. Geographical Variation in the Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, Reveals Two Species. Current Biology 16, 2377 – 2383
- Andreas Wilting et al. 2011. Geographical variation in and evolutionary history of the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) with the description of a new subspecies from Borneo. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 58 (2), 317 – 328 (doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.11.007)
- Felid Tag (website Smithsonian National Zoological Park)
- Andrew C. Kitchener. 1999. Mate killing in clouded leopards: a hypothesis (International Zoo News Vol. 46, No. 4, June 1999)
- Mel Sunquist & Fiona Sunquist, Wild Cats of the World (2002)
Video
Source: WWF
Rare Bornean Clouded Leopards Caught On Camera In Malaysian Reserve
A Bornean clouded leopard and her two cubs were captured on camera (by photographer Michael Gordon) strolling through a Malaysian forest reserve last week — a rare daytime sighting. The female leopard and two young cubs were crossing a road and walked into the bush in the Deramakot Forest Reserve in Malaysia’s Sabah state, where the elusive cat was first sighted at night on camera traps in 2010.
(Source: Dailymotion)
Just enjoy some clouded leopards cubs playing and having fun!
Source: Clouded Leopard Project
Source: ARKIVE.org
