Clouded Leopard

The marks on its fur look like clouds.

It has a long tail.

Clouded leopards are very good climbers.

To which animal group does the clouded leopard belong?
The clouded leopard is classified as a big cat because it behaves and looks like other big cats, but it is more closely related to the lynx.

Body
The clouded leopard has a different skull shape from other members of the cat family, so it is in a group of its own.

The clouded leopard has a body that is about 1 metre long plus a 90 centimetre tail. It weighs up to 23 kilograms.

Its fur is grey to yellowish-brown and it has black spots and dashes on its head, legs and tail. The marks on its side look similar to clouds, which gives the animal its name.

Notice the cloud-like blotches on the animal's side

Habitat
The animal lives in thick forests in high mountains of Thailand, China, India and Vietnam.

Diet and hunting
The clouded leopard eats birds, monkeys, deer and goats. It chases its prey, jumps on it and bites its throat until the animal suffocates. The clouded leopard has the longest canine teeth of any cat, in proportion to its size.

Life Cycle
Clouded leopards live alone but males and females hunt together after mating. Two to four young are born about 100 days after mating takes place.

Conservation Status
The clouded leopard is now endangered. It has been hunted for food and for its beautiful fur. Its forest habitat is being cut down.

Acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Clouded Leopard (2001). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au

updated May 2007