Clouded Leopard

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Mammalia

• Family: Felidae

• Order: Carnivora

• Genus: Neofelis

• Species: Neofelis Nebulosa

The clouded leopard is one magnificent animal. They are known to be the gap in between small and large cats. While being smaller than big cats and bigger than small cats. They have short legs with a long tail with a more stockier build. And they have massive paws for their size to help them with their daily activities, like climbing up trees.

Some key characteristics of the clouded leopard include the color of its fur. The cat has a very unique and extensive color pattern that helps it blend into its surroundings. The clouded leopard also has a very large set of canine teeth that goes with a strong bite force of 544.3 newtons. 

Lastly, an adult clouded leopard can weigh anywhere from 25 to 51 pounds. They can be 27 to 37 inches long with a tail that could be 24 to 32 inches long. Generally, males tend to be larger than females. And the clouded leopard has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.  

The clouded leopard prefers the lowland tropical rainforest as its habitat. This area receives around 79 to 394 inches of rain per year. Yet, they can also be found in dry woodlands and forests. Plants in lowland tropical rainforests include many species of vine and epiphytes, like orchids, bromeliads, and mosses. Along with plants, there are also many different species of animals who share the habitat with the clouded leopard. For example, members include the jaguar, tapir, boa constrictor, crowned eagle, and many more. The average temperature here ranges from 68 to 84 degrees fahrenheit year round. The terrain is known for being dense, with many different objects and living things every few feet.

The clouded leopard is primarily found in Nepal, Bangladesh, Assam (eastern india), Thailand, Malaysia, China, and formerly Taiwan.

The clouded leopard is not an invasive species. 

Clouded leopards are carnivores and consume a variety of different things. They have been known to hunt monkeys, small deer, wild pigs, rodents, birds, and more. If it has a large meal, it can consume around twice a week compared to consuming more if it eats smaller prey. The clouded leopard gets its food from stalking its prey until pouncing on it for the kill. Just like most cats, they are silent hunters. They do not consume any 'special' foods.

Clouded leopards happen to be solitary animals. Their only encounters with their own kind are either at birth or in adulthood to mate. These cats can purr like their smaller cousins, have a low, moaning roar, a soft chuffle, a growl, a hiss, and meows as part of their calls. 

The female clouded leopard can have a litter of cubs once each year. A litter size can vary from 1-5 cubs, with the most common number being two. Mating for these animals happens at anytime around the year in the wild, but happens to be December-March in captivity. According to National Geographic, it is unknown how many mates this type of leopard will have. The distinct mating rituals by the clouded leopard are also unknown, but it is believed that the scent of the females becomes stronger in order to attract a male to mate. 

Clouded leopard kittens are born after a gestation period of about three months. The kittens are then fully active at five weeks of age but are not fully weaned until the are 9-10 months old, at which point they leave their mother and establish a territory of their own.

The greatest threats to the Clouded Leopard include:

• Poaching (Biggest)

• Human-wildlife Interactions 

• Bigger cats (Predators)

The main competition they have with their own species is territory. The clouded leopard is very territorial and will not let outsiders in. Even their own kind. The competition with other animals happens to be over food and who can get to it first. For example, competition over leopards and tigers has been a problem for clouded leopards. Clouded leopards are not affected by invasive species, with their greatest threat being poaching and humans.