IUCN Status
Animal Grouping
Diet
Length
Weight
Vulnerable (VU)
Mammal
Carnivore: Macaques, Gibbons, Pigs, Deer, Birds, Squirrels
Body 2-3 feet (approx 60-92cm), Tail 3 feet (approx 92cm)
Males up to 50lb (over 20kg), Females up to 30lb (over 13.5kg)
Do you Know your Leopards?
Let's leap straight into finding out more about these wild cats
1. Not part of the PANTHERA group
Clouded leopards are not to be confused with leopards. Let’s see why…
Leopards
- Leopards are found in parts of Africa, Central Asia, India and parts of China.
- They are much larger than clouded leopards.
- They are part of the genus (group) called Panthera.
Clouded Leopards
- Clouded leopards are found in mainland Asia and on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.
- They are larger than domestic cats but smaller than other ‘big’ cats.
- They have their own genus called Neofelis.
Neofelis Sub-Species
There are 3 sub-species of Neofelis (clouded leopard)
1. Neofelis Nebulosa
Found in Asia’s mainland from the rainforests of Indonesia across the foothills of Nepal’s Himalayas.
2. Neofelis DIARDI
The sunda clouded leopard is found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. This sub-species has now been proven to be genetically different to those found on the mainland.
They have even longer canines and variations in coat markings.
3. Neofelis Neofelis Nebulosa brackyra
This sub-species of clouded leopard was found in Taiwan but is now thought to be extinct (according to IUCN red list).
2. Built to climb
You just have to look at their anatomy to see that they were meant to climb:
- Short strong powerful legs
- Large paws & retractable claws
- Special foot pads designed for gripping
- 180° Rotating rear cuffs
- Long tail to counter balance
Not only are they amazing climbers they can:
- Hang upside down whilst climbing.
- Climb down head first like a squirrel does.
Watch as Steve Backshall meets Dok Mai the clouded leopard.
3. largest canines
Clouded leopards have the largest canines proportionate to the size of their body.
4. Why the name?
Although it’s often said their name comes from the ‘cloud’ like spots on their coat, it’s actually because of how high up they can live in the canopy.
5. SPots like no other
They have large, uneven shaped spots with black edges and darker shading in the middle to the rest of the fur coat.
Their coats also have irregular stripes and small spots across them.
Can they roar?
Unlike big cats, clouded leopards are not able to roar. They are also not able to purr.
Instead, they have a unique set of sounds they can make.
1. Chuff
2. Hiss
3. Puff
Watch more about clouded leopards on ITV’s OUR WORLD
Nurture their curiosity
This is the place to come to get extra activities to nurture and enrich what you are doing with your children at home.
Below are some FREE and EXCLUSIVE activities you can get through My Curious Library.
Colour in your own clouded leopard climbing the canopy
Habitat prompt: What sort of trees do you think they climb in the rainforests of Indonesia? Are these different to the trees you’d find in the foothills of the Himalayas?
Can you help the clouded leopard?
Story prompt: How did the clouded leopard lose it’s spots? Better yet how did they get them back?
Cat camouflage – can you match the spots to the cat?
Difficulty level: I have designed this activity with children who have a special interest in wild cats in mind. It’s aimed at age 5 plus, but go with your gut.
Story resources
Here's a few resource ideas.
Right: Here is an animated short story from the Tinga Tinga Tales story, okay so it’s about an African Leopard but hopefully it will give you some ideas!
Books to explore:
Just so stories – Rudyard Kipling
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Includes instructions, adult and child sized masks.
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This is a great to place to visit if you love being outdoors, love plants and flowers and want somewhere child friendly!
You’re invited to an end of summer party!
I’m excited to be joining Little Nature Seekers at their end of summer party on 17th August.
I would love to see you there with your little ones. My boys will be having lots of fun whilst I get to meet you.