Mainland clouded leopard
Neofelis nebulosa
Mainland clouded leopard
APPEARANCE
Misty Panther is a medium-sized cat. It has relatively short, strong legs ending in wide paws. Its hind legs are much longer than its front legs, and its tail is exceptionally long (usually equal to its body length) and allows it to balance deftly on thin tree branches. The mistletoe panther has a fairly long skull, and along with its sister species, the Sunday panther, has proportionally the longest canines of any cat. The fur patterns are cloud-like rosettes with dark edges and lighter centers, which were the inspiration for the species’ name. The fur color can range from yellowish brown to silver gray to earthy brown or dark gray. Two dark stripes run along the spine, and the tail has 6 rings. The underside of the body is white or light brown, there are black spots on the limbs and underbelly, and two distinct dark stripes will be observed on the back of the neck.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Found from the eastern and southern foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal, through Bhutan and India, to Myanmar, southern China, peninsular Malaysia and Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia).
It inhabits the deepest areas of evergreen forests and is closely associated with primary tropical forests.
BEHAVIOUR
The clouded leopard is a solitary predator recorded at all times of the day and night, but usually with slightly more activity at night or dusk. It moves easily among trees and is an excellent climber.
FOOD
Feeds on woody and terrestrial vertebrates such as small deer, monkeys, squirrels, porcupines, scales, wild boar, and birds. Occasionally they hunt domestic fowl and goats. They have no interest in carrion.
MAIN THREATS
The greatest threat to the clouded leopard is habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation and conversion of land to agricultural land.
