SECTION 2
Natural History
Information on range, natural history, status in the wild.

SECTION 3
Personal insight by Lon Grassman.
Lon is currently conducting research of clouded leopards in Northeastern Thailand.

SECTION 4
Further reading:

SECTION 1
Did you know?

• Clouded leopards are one the most acrobatic cats in trees, and are considered arboreal. (arboreal means "living in trees")
  
• They have some of the longest canine teeth of all the cats. The teeth can reach lengths of 2 1/2 inches.
  
• These cats can hang from their back feet from tree branches, but can not hang from their tail as a monkey does.
  
• The name "clouded" come from the fact that their spots look like clouds in the sky.
  
• Clouded leopards can swim well and are found on some small islands in Southeast Asia.
  
• Their main prey is reported to consist of monkeys, birds and small mammals. Because of their long teeth, they also able to prey on larger mammals like deer and boar.
  
• They are one of the few cats that can be green in color.
  

SECTION 2
Natural History:

Clouded leopards range from India in the West, across the South and East of China and South all the way to the islands of Borneo and Samatra. They are thought to be only assocatied with the tropical rain forest areas but studies have showen they take advantage of other types of habitats as well.

Not much is known of the population status because of lack of study and the secretiveness of these animals. It is very difficult to study these cats because of their arboreal nature and the denseness of the forests they live in. It is thought one of the strongest populations of cats are found in Borneo because of the lack of tigers and leopards. 

Clouded Leopards are listed as Appendix 1 cats under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). This is the most protected status and animal can have under current world wide treaties. They are still hunted for their coats and teeth. Clouded leopard pelts are the most common of all the cat pelts found on the black market

SECTION 3
Personal Insight:

CLOUDED LEOPARD

Although thought to live exclusively in tropical evergreen forests and be strictly nocturnal in activity, clouded leopards in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary have been camera-trapped in dry hill evergreen forest and during mid-day and early afternoon hours. Clouded leopards are unique first and formost for their arboreal skills. Although CL spend more time on the ground then previously thought, their remarkable climbing abilities and balance make this cat special as Asia's most arboreal. (The smaller and similarly patterned marbled cat may be as arboreal, but unfortunantly no ecological data exists on this cat in the wild.) Besides the importance of the cat from an ecological standpoint, the unparralled beauty of clouded leopards truly make this species a coveted member of Asia's carnivore community.

Lon Grassman

Copyright © [Project Survival's Cat Haven]. All rights reserved.
Revised: May 13, 2002 .