Clouded Leopards
By Shravani Pothini Balaji
Introduction
Types of Clouded Leopards
Neofelis Diardi
Neofelis Nebulosa
Physical Characteristics and the Lifespan of the Clouded Leopard
The clouded leopard is known mainly for its beautiful fur . It's fur consists of dark clouded spots with a background from pale yellow to brown. Its body is usually 3 ft. long and its tail is 2.5 ft. long. It's claws are so helpful that it allows this feline to hang from a tree with a sturdy grip. However, with all the great features of an animal, this cat is also a great runner, as well. The clouded leopard's average speed is 45 mph.
Clouded leopards can live up to 17 years in captivity, however no one knows for sure how long a clouded leopard lives in the wild
Clouded Leopard Diet
Clouded Leopard Behavior
The Clouded Leopard's Habitat
Clouded Leopard's Breeding
Clouded leopards get matured at the age of 2. Clouded leopards are not limited to mating in a certain month, however in captivity mating season goes from December through March. They have a gestation period(pregnancy) of 85-93 days and usually produce 2 cubs, however the range of cubs would be 1-5 cubs per litter.
Endangered
Why are these creatures endangered? Clouded leopards are endangered because of poaching, deforestation, and captivity, however there are many more reasons such as the fact of clouded leopards killing livestock for food, and then ranchers kill these animals. The below sections will explain in further detail about the three major reasons.
Poaching- Clouded leopards are worth $17,000 on the black market. Their bones are used in many traditional Chinese and Thai medicines. Their fur is used for clothing because of the authentic clouded spots. Last but not least, the meat is served in many Thai and Chinese restaurants for the wealthy .
Deforestation- The clouded leopard lives in the rainforest of Thailand and China. Because of the growth of these countries, they cut down more trees leaving the clouded leopards' habitat destroyed. The clouded leopard has no shelter, and therefore cannot survive.
Captivity-Though the clouded leopard is known to live longer in captivity reproduction is not successful. The reproduction rate is only 20% successful. Researchers are still trying to find out the unusual behavior with the male, when the female is put in the cage. What do I mean? The males get aggressive when the female is put in the cage together, and ends up trying to kill the female.According to Joe Gale,a clouded leopard expert form the Smithsonian National Zoo, "I first got involved in clouded leopards , actually is the first year I drived to the national zoo, and that was 1980. It was difficult to breed them then and it's still difficult to breed them now." She and her group of researchers are trying to breed the clouded leopards and identify the unusual behavior.
Status of Clouded Leopards Before Endangered
Status of Clouded Leopards After Endangered
The neofelis nebulosa is now located in these certain parts of Southeast Asia. The countries which it is located in is highlighted in green.
Donate to WWF
If you donate to organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (more commonly known as WWF) we can help save neofelis nebulosa from extinction, by helping them do research & much more.
Clouded Leopard Facts
- The clouded leopard's population is not known for sure by many researchers because it is very rare to see these mammals
-Researchers and scientists are modifying the genetics of clouded leopards in captivity because of the aggressive behavior of the male clouded leopard when the female is put in the cage