Clouded leopard

Neofelis nebulosa

The clouded leopard is a solitary forest cat of the Indomalayan region. It is crepuscular and uses both trees and the forest floor.

Key facts

Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a carnivore animal classified as Mammal · Carnivora · Felidae.
Primary habitats are forest, with a range across Indomalayan.
Activity is crepuscular, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is VU (Vulnerable).
The clouded leopard is a solitary forest cat of the Indomalayan region.
It lives mainly in forest, moving through dense canopy, fallen timber, and slopes.
Typical lifespan: 10-20 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It lives mainly in forest, moving through dense canopy, fallen timber, and slopes. Continuous forest provides both cover and prey.

Body length is about 68-108 cm and weight about 11-23 kg. Large cloud-shaped markings, a long tail, and flexible ankles aid movement in trees.

Active around dawn and dusk, it uses a solitary range. It moves on branches and also hunts from the ground, using the forest in three dimensions.

It is carnivorous, taking arboreal and ground mammals as well as birds. A short stalk and powerful bite help it subdue prey.

Young are raised in concealed sites and gradually learn climbing and hunting. Breeding details are hard to observe in the wild.

Its status is listed as Vulnerable. Forest loss and fragmentation are major pressures, making connected woodland especially important.