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Clouded Leopard | ||
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Neofelis nebulosa (Griffith, 1821)' | ||
Information | ||
Range |
Southern Asia | |
Estimated Population |
Decreasing | |
Scientific Classification | ||
Kingdom |
Animalia | |
Phylum |
Chordata | |
Class |
Mammalia | |
Order |
Carnivora | |
Family |
Felidae | |
Subamily |
Pantherine | |
Genus |
Neofelis | |
Species |
N. nebulosa | |
Conservation Status (IUCN 3.1) | ||
Vulnerable |
The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized cat. It has a tawny coat and is distinctly marked with large, irregular shaped, dark-edge ellipses that are said to be shaped like clouds. It is seems to be a cross between a big cat and a small cat. “neo” means ‘new’ and “felis” means small cat, so its scientific name literally means a new kind of a small cat.
Rarely seen in the wild, it is thought to ambush its prey from trees. It is found in the Himalayas, south China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.
Destruction of their forest habitats is the major threat to these cats. They are also hunted for their striking, marbled fur. Pesticides, used in farming, may also be poisoning some cats.