Clouded Leopards

Clouded leopards are shy wild cats named for the big, cloud-shaped marks on their fur. They live in the thick forests of Southeast Asia. These cats are some of the best climbers in the whole cat family. They can hang upside down from branches like a monkey! Clouded leopards are not true leopards but belong to their own special group.

Amazing Climbers

Clouded leopards have short legs and long tails that help them balance in trees. Their ankles can turn backwards, which lets them climb down trees head first. Very few cats can do this trick. They sleep on tree branches and even hunt from the trees. Their long tails are almost as long as their whole body.

Big Teeth for a Medium Cat

Clouded leopards have the longest canine teeth of any cat compared to their body size. Some people call them modern-day saber-toothed cats. They use their teeth to catch monkeys, birds, deer, and wild pigs. Their jaws can open very wide. These cats hunt mostly at night when the forest is quiet.

A Secret Life

Clouded leopards are so shy that scientists know very little about them. They live alone in rainforests in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Sadly, their forest homes are being cut down. Today clouded leopards are listed as vulnerable, which means they need our help. Zoos and parks work to protect them and help them have babies.

Fun Facts

• Clouded leopards can hang from branches by just their back feet.
• Their spots look like clouds floating across their fur.
• They are the smallest of the big wild cats in Asia.

Did You Know?

A clouded leopard's bite is so strong that some scientists think it is the strongest bite of any cat its size.