Species · GBIF taxon 2435079
Clouded Leopard
Neofelis nebulosaAlso known as Mainland Clouded Leopard, Mint Leopard
Clouded leopards are master tree-climbers of the Asian rainforests, equipped with rotating ankle joints that allow them to descend trunks headfirst like a squirrel. Their exceptionally long tails provide perfect balance on high branches, while their massive canine teeth, the largest relative to skull size of any living cat, aid in capturing prey. These elusive, solitary predators spend much of their lives hidden in the canopy, making them incredibly difficult to study in the wild.
ArborealNocturnalSolitary
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Macaques
- Barking Deer
- Pheasants
Predators
- Tigers
- Leopards
- Humans
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, and illegal poaching for their beautiful skins
HabitatsTropical evergreen rainforests, dry woodlands, and mangrove swamps
Life span11 to 15 years in the wild, up to 17 years in captivity
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyFelidae
- SpeciesNeofelis nebulosa
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- A powerful predator capable of defending itself; never approach or corner a wild cat.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with exceptionally long canine teeth and powerful claws, they can inflict severe injuries if cornered or threatened.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for large, cloud-like dark blotches on a greyish-tawny coat and an exceptionally long, thick tail.
- What to do
- Maintain a safe distance and never attempt to corner, feed, or handle this wild predator.
- What to notice
- Recognized by their distinctive cloud-patterned fur and secretive, arboreal habits in dense forests.
- Support conservation
- Avoid disclosing exact sighting locations publicly to protect them from illegal poachers.
Responsible observation
- Look up: Scan the mid-to-high canopy of dense tropical forests where they rest during the day.
- Use camera traps: Set up motion-activated cameras along game trails to capture their nocturnal movements.
- Support conservation: Contribute to organizations protecting the remaining primary rainforests of Southeast Asia.
Competitor (c) Raja bandi, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Raja bandi · cc-by
Predator "Bengal Tiger" by ucumari photography is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Prey (c) Ettore Balocchi, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative www.photosbypaulo.com / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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